348 

114 
JPV 1 



REPORT 



OF THE 



COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES 



as 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLOMBIA RIVER BASIN 



EJ RKGARD TO 



THE SALMON FISHERIES. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1894. 



REPORT 



OF THE 



COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES 



ON 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN 






IN REGARD TO 



THE SALMON FISHERIES. 







WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1894. 






,/v 






7 ' 7& 






THE SALMON FISHERIES OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



By MARSHALL McDONALD, 
United Stales Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 



U. S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 

Washington, D. 0., May 31, 1894. 

Hon. Adlai E. Stevenson, 

President of the /Senate : 

Sir: In compliance with instructions conveyed in the provisions of the Sundry 
Civil Bill, which became a law August 5, 1892, I have the honor to submit a report 
of investigations in the. Columbia River Basin. 

The first of the provisions above referred to authorized the expenditure from 
the appropriation for inquiry respectiug food-fishes of $2,000, or so much thereof as 
may be necessary, "In examining the Clarke's Fork of the Columbia River, with the 
view to ascertain the obstructions which prevent the ascent of salmon up said river 
to the Flathead Lake and adjacent waters." 

The second provision directed an investigation and report respectiug the advisa- 
bility of establishing a fish-hatching station at some suitable point in the State of 
Washington, and appropriated for the same "$ 1,000, or as much thereof as may be 
necessary." 

It was not known whether the failure of the salmon to enter the Clarke Fork of the 
Columbia was due to natural obstructions preventing their ascent, or was to be attrib- 
uted to the extensive fishing operations prosecuted in the Lower Columbia, or possibly 
to other causes to be disclosed by the proposed investigation. Again, the location of 
the hatchery proposed for the State of Washington would be necessarily determined 
by our ability to secure an adequate supply of spawning salmon within convenient 
distance of the hatchery. 

It appearing probable that the methods of the large fisheries pursued in the Lower 
Columbia, if permitted to continue, would effectually intercept the run of salmon to 
the headwaters, and thus defeat the object for which the hatchery is proposed, it 
was thought proper and expedient to institute a general investigation covering the 
entire Columbia River Basin, and if conditions were disclosed threatening disaster 
to these valuable and productive fisheries, to bring the matter to the attention of 
Congress and the States interested in their prosperity. 

The direction of the field investigation was intrusted to Prof. B. W. Bvermann, 
assistant in the Division of Inquiry Respecting Food-Fishes, whose report is appended 
to and constitutes an iutegral part of the report of the Commissioner of Fisheries. 

3 



4 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

A very complete statistical investigation into the history, methods, apparatus, 
present conditions, product, and annual value of the salmon fisheries of the Columbia 
has also been made by Mr. W. A. Wilcox, under the direction of Dr. H. M. Smith, 
assistant in charge of the Division of Statistics and Methods of the Fisheries, the 
results of which are embodied and discussed in the report which is herewith respect- 
fully submitted. 

CONDITIONS DETERMINING THE SALMON PRODUCTION OF A RIVER BASIN. 

There are fundamental conditions determining the salmon production of a river 
basin and the nature and extent of the fisheries which maybe maintained without 
overtaxing the productive capacity of the river. All the species of salmon which are 
the object of the fisheries are alike under the constraint of a natural law, which com- 
pels them to enter the fresh waters for the purpose of spawning. Some species ascend 
to a relatively short distance above tide water. Others, like the chinook, push their 
migrations to the remotest sources of the rivers and tributary streams when not pre- 
vented by natural or artificial obstructions. Where the area of distribution is con- 
tracted by the erection of barriers, dams, or other obstructions which the salmon can 
not surmount, the production of the river is diminished pro taiito, for the reason that 
the young salmon remain for some mouths in the waters in which they are hatched — 
they must here find their food — and consequently the exteut of the feeding-grounds 
open to them will be the measure of nature's ability to repair the waste occasioned by 
natural casualties and the fishing operations. If there be no contraction of the 
breeding area by artificial obstructions, but, ou the other hand, the times, methods, 
and apparatus of the fisheries are such as to intercept or in a large measure prevent 
the run of salmon into and up the rivers, then a serious decline in the fisheries is 
inevitable. 

It is possible by fish-cultural operations pursued on an adequate scale, by hatching 
and planting the fry in the head waters of the Columbia and its tributary streams, 
to realize the full productive capacity of the river, so long as eggs cau be obtained in 
sufficient numbers to furnish a basis for the extensive operations required. This 
would not be possible, however, if the fishing operations in the lower river practically 
excluded the salmon from the streams to which it would be necessary to have recourse 
to obtain a supply of eggs. It is evident, therefore, that fish-cultural operations can 
not be relied upon exclusively or chiefly to maintain the salmon supply in the Columbia. 
The regulation of the times, methods, and apparatus of the fisheries should be such 
as to assure the largest opportunity practicable for reproduction under natural condi- 
tions. Artificial propagation should be invoked as an aid and not as a substitute for 
reproduction under natural conditions. 

THE LIMITS OF MIGRATION OF SALMON. 

The limits of migration of salmon in the. Columbia River basin, as determined by 
impassable falls in the larger tributaries of the Columbia and their affluents, is shown 
in the accompanying chart, there being no serious obstructions existing in the main 
river within the limits of the United States. 

The area of distribution is approximately 90,000 square miles. This immense tract 
is drained by innumerable streams of clear cold water, into winch the salmon enter 
for the purpose of spawning and up which they ascend till their progress is stopped 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 5 

by falls or other obstructions which they cannot surmount. These waters furnish the 
feeding grounds of the young salmon during their early life, which is spent in the fresh 
waters. Their migration seaward does not begin until they are at least a year old and 
have attained a length of from 8 to 10 inches. These streams are the nurseries of 
the great salmon fisheries of the lower Columbia. From each goes out every year a 
colony, more or less numerous, to swell the aggregate of young salmon necessary to 
repair the waste by natural casualty and by capture. 

The area of natural distribution has not as yet been very materially abridged. 
Certain streams, such as the Bruneau and the Boise, have been obstructed by dams 
near their mouths, but the vast extent of waters still accessible to salmon and 
affording suitable breeding and feeding grounds, indicates that we must look to other 
causes to explain any ascertained deterioration in the salmon fisheries of the Columbia. 

DECREASE OF SALMON IN THE HEAD WATERS OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER. 

The investigations made by Prof. Everinaun and the parties under his direction 
establish conclusively the fact that there has been a very great reduction in the num- 
ber of salmon frequenting the head waters of the Columbia River and its tributaries. 
This decrease is more notable in the main river. In the early history of the fishery 
salmon were found in the head waters in marvelous abundance. According to the 
information obtained by Prof. Evermaun : 

They were abundant in the Columbia River at Kettle Falls as late as 1878. Since then there 
has been a great decrease. They have been scarce since 1882. Since 1890 there have been scarcely 
any at Kettle Falls. The Meyers Brothers say that they have been almost unable to buy any salmon 
for their own table from the Indians for three years. Certain Indians with whom we talked at Kettle 
Falls said salmon were once very abundant there, but that very few are seen now. Other persons 
testified to the same effect. Essentially the same information was obtained regarding the decrease of 
salmon in other parts of the upper tributaries of the Columbia, viz: at Spokane, in both the Big and 
Little Spokane rivers, and in the Snake River and its various tributaries. 

Dr. O. P. Jenkins, an assistant of Prof. Evermaun, makes the following report in 
reference to the Yakima River, Washington : 

The Yakima is the main stream of the valley. It receives many tributaries, the main ones being 
Mauistash and Wilson creeks. The river near the city (Ellensburg) is 160 feet wide, by an average 
of 10 feet deep, and flows with a velocity of 1 foot per second. Temperature at 9:15 a.m., August 
24, 1893, 60° F. ; water clear. Those acquainted with the facts state that formerly, up to about 1885, 
salmon of three or four kinds, including the quinnat, ran up the stream to this valley and spawned in 
the river in great numbers; at present very few make their appearance. 

There is no reason to doubt — indeed, the fact is beyond question — that the number 
of salmon now reaching the head waters of streams in the Columbia River basin is 
insignificant in comparison with the number which some years ago annually visited 
and spawned in these waters. It is further apparent that this decrease is not to be 
attributed either to the contraction of the area accessible to them or to changed con- 
ditions in the waters which would deter the salmon from entering them. We must 
look to the great commercial fisheries prosecuted in the lower river for an explauatiou 
of this decrease, which portends inevitable disaster to these fisheries if the conditions 
which have brought it about are permitted to continue. 

The relations of the decreased number of salmon in the head waters to the devel- 
opment of the commercial fisheries is brought out in a very instructive way by an 
analysis of the following table; 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER 15ASIN. 
Summary of the salmon-canning industry of the Columbia River from its origin to the present time. 





Gross weight 


Number of 




A rerage 




Gross weight 


Number of 




Average 


Tear. 


of salmon 


rusi-s 


Value. 


value 


Year. 


of salmon 


cases 


Value. 


value 




utilized. 


packed. 




per case. 




utilized. 


packed. 




per case. 




Pound*. 










Pound*. 






1866 


260 '""1 


4,000 


$64. 000 


$16.00 


1881 


35,75(1,(11111 


550, 000 


$2, 475, OHO 


$4.50 


181.7 


1,170, I 


18, 000 


L'SS, 1.1(111 


16.00 


1882 


35, 184, 500 


541, 300 


2, 600, 000 


4.80 




1, 820, 000 


28, 000 


392, 000 


14.00 


1883 


40.011,000 


629. 400 


3,147,000 


5. 00 


1860 


6, 500, 000 


100,000 


1, 350, 000 


13.50 


1884 


40,300,000 


620, 000 


2, 015, 000 


4.70 


1870 


9,750,0110 


150, 000 


1, 800, 000 


12.00 


1885 


35, 907, 000 


553. 800 


2, 500, 000 


4.51 


1871 


13, 0110, 000 


200. 000 


2, 100, 000 


10.50 


1886 


29, 152,000 


448, 500 


2, 135. 1 


4.76 


1872 


16, 250, 0(10 


250. 000 


2, 325. 000 


9.30 


1887 


23, 140, 000 


356, 000 


2, 124, 000 


5. 07 


1873 


16, 250, 000 


250,000 


2, 250, 000 


9.00 


1888 


24,211,005 


372,477 


2, 327, 981 


6. 25 


1874 


22. 750, 000 


350, 000 


2, 625, 000 


7.50 


1889 


20, 685, 495 


309, 885 


1, 809, 820 


5.84 


1875 


24, 375, 000 


375,000 


2, 250, 000 


6.00 


1890 


28,781,385 


435, 774 


2, 407, 456 


5.52 


1876 


29, 250, 000 


450. O00 


2, 475, 000 


5.50 


1891 


26, 450, 635 


398, 953 


2, 240, 964 


5.62 


1S77 


24, 700, 000 


380, 000 


2, 052, 000 


5.40 


1892 


32, 185, 995 


487, 338 


2, 679, 009 


5.50 


1878 


29, 900, 000 


400, (100 


2, 300, 000 


5.00 


1893 


24, 050, 000 


370, 000 


2, 107, 500 


5.70 


1879 

1880 


31, 200, 000 
34, 450, 000 


480,000 

530, 000 


2, 640, 000 
2, 650, 000 


5.50 
5.00 












Total. 


658, 424, 515 


10,098,427 


59, 029, 790 


5.85 



Canning operations on the Columbia River began in 18C6, when 4,000 cases were 
packed and sold at an average of $16 per case. As early as 1872 the total pack 
reached 250,000 cases, the price per case having declined to $9. Each succeeding 
year operations were extended and reached their culmination in 1883 and 1884, when 
upwards of 600,000 cases were packed each season. From this time on the catch 
declined, having reached its lowest point in 1889, the number of cases packed that 
season being 309,885, or less than half the number of cases packed in 1S83 and 1884. 

Up to 1888, practically the entire pack consisted of the king or chiuook salmon, 
and the fishing season did not extend beyond the first of August. In 1889 the packers 
began canning bluebacks and steelheads to makeup the deficiency in the supply, and 
extended their operations to the first of September. 

DETAILED STATISTICS OF THE SALMON INDUSTRY OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER, 1889-92. 

The following series of tables shows, in some detail, the extent of the salmon fishery 
and canning industry of the Columbia River during the years 1889 to 1892, inclusive, 
as determined by the inquiries conducted by this Commission. 

The number of fishermen and shore employes connected with the salmon industry 
in each of the years named is indicated in Table A: 

A. — Table showing the number of persons employed in the salmon industry of the Columbia River from 

1SS9 to 1892. 



How engaged. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


1892. 


Oregon : 


1,606 
870 


1,648 
1,028 


1,929 
1,057 


2. 064 
1.100 




Total 


2,476 


2,712 


2,986 


3,164 

1,677 
704 


WashingtoD : 


1,535 
594 


1,510 
602 


1,575 
654 




Total 


2,129 


2, 112 


2, 229 


2. 381 

3,741 
1.804 


Total for river: 


3,141 
1,464 


3, 194 
1,030 


3,504 
1,711 




Total 


4,605 


4,824 


5.215 


5,545 





INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



Tbe number and value of boats and apparatus and the value of shore property 
and capital employed in the salmon fisheries of the Columbia River in 18S9, 1890, 1891 
and 1892 is given in Table B. 

B. — Number and value of boats and apparatus, and the value of shore property, and cash capital employed in 
the salmon industry of the Columbia River in 18S9, 1890, 1891, and 1892. 



Apparatus and capital. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


1892. 


No. 


Value. 


No. 


Value. 


No. 


Value. 


No. 


Value. 


Orepon : 

Boats 


751 

21 

102 

2 

7 

757 

31 

95 


$99, 850 

5, 900 

72, 300 

1,600 

4, 800 

152, 000 

120, 052 

475 

502, 955 

395, 000 


776 
23 
98 


$104,400 
6,300 
76, 500 


876 
30 

140 
2 
19 

790 
30 
60 


$120, 815 

8,300 

98, 900 

1,600 

11,150 

181,265 

108, 152 

300 

455, 205 

520, 000 


998 
29 

247 
o 

12 

861 

40 

50 


$131, 550 

7,400 

173, 400 

1,600 

5,650 

190, loo 

132, 852 

250 

507, 805 

614, 000 


Pile-drivers and scows 






6 
760 
29 

85 


2,700 
159, 450 
107, 552 
425 
486, 355 
581,000 


Gill nets 




Dip nets and squaw nets .. 






Total 






1,354,932 




1,524,682 


1,505,687 




1,764,607 


Washington : 

Pile-drivers and scows 




475 
39 
62 
2 
33 
436 
9 
15 


60, 340 

9, 050 

48, 200 

1,400 

18, 700 

88, 775 

25, 000 

75 

245, 950 

304, 000 


468 

37 

70 

2 

29 

432 
12 
18 


59, 780 

9, 950 

55, 200 

1,400 

16, 400 

89, 480 

48, 500 

90 

247, 280 

331,000 


534 

42 
98 
2 
30 
472 
14 
23 


67, 280 

10, 750 

77, 000 

1,400 

16, 900 

101,780 

45, 000 

115 

321, 050 

332, 000 


538 
45 

131 

1 

26 

453 
IT 
25 


64. 895 

13. 550 

103, 400 

700 

10,000 

98, 130 

49, 100 

125 

282, 800 

330, 000 










Dip nets and squaw nets.. 






Total 






801,400 




859, 080 




973, 275 




952, 700 


Total for river: 




1,226 
60 
164 
4 
40 
1.193 
40 
110 


160, 190 

14, 950 

120, 500 

3,000 

23,500 

240, 775 

145, 052 

550 

748, 905 

699, 000 


1,244 
60 
168 
2 
35 
1,192 
41 
103 


164, 180 

16, 250 

131,700 

1,400 

19, 100 

248, 930 

156, 052 

515 

733, 635 

912,000 


1,410 
72 
238 
4 
49 
1,262 
44 
83 


188, 095 

19, 050 

175. 900 

3,000 

28, 050 

283, 045 

153, 152 

415 

776, 255 

852. 000 


1,536 

74 

378 

3 

38 

1.314 

57 

75 


196, 445 

20, 950 

276, 800 

2,300 

15, 650 

288, 230 

181 0.-.2 

375 

790, GU5 

944, 000 


Pile-drivers and scows 










Dip nets and squaw nets.. 






Total 






2, 156, 422 




2, 383, 762 




2, 478, 962 




2, 717, 307 







Comparing 1892 with 1889, we find increases or decreases in the number of the 
different sorts of apparatus as follows : 



Apparatus. 


1889. 


1892. 


Increase. 


Decrease. 




164 

40 

1, 193 

40 

110 


378 
38 
1,314 
57 
75 


214 






2 




121 

17 


Wheels 






35 







8 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVEE BASIN. 



The following tables, C, D, E, and F, show by apparatus the number, weight, and 
value of each species of salmon taken in the Columbia River in 1889, 1890, 1891, and 
1892: 

C. — Table showing by apparatus the number, weight, and value of each species of salmon taken in the 

Columbia River in 1SS9. 



Apparatus and species. 


Oregon. 


Washington. 


Total. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


Pound nets: 


86, 777 
33. 372 
37,958 


2, 169, 425 
166, 860 
379, 545 


$108, 469 
8,342 
11, 386 


40, 323 
24, 199 
22, 460 


1, 008, 075 
120. 995 
224,600 


$50, 353 
5,904 
6,737 


127, 100 
57, 571 
60, 418 


3, 177. 500 

287, 855 
604, 145 


$158, 822 
14,246 
18,123 






Total 

Trap nets: 


158, 107 


2, 715, 830 


128, 197 


86, 982 


1, 353, 670 


62, 994 


245,089 


4, 069, 500 


191,191 


710 
440 


17. 750 
4,400 


887 
132 


2,275 
803 


66, 875 
8,030 


2,844 
241 


2,985 
1,243 


74,625 
12, 430 


3,731 
373 




Total 


1.150 


22, 150 


1,019 


3,078 


64, 905 


3,085 


4,228 


87, 055 


4,104 


Seinea ; 


24, 752 
3,500 
16, 720 


618, 800 
17, 500 
167, 200 


30, 940 

875 

4,816 


63, 782 

2,444 

43, 978 


1,594,550 

12,225 

439, 780 


79,727 

611 

13, 193 


88, 534 
5,944 
60, 698 


2, 213, 350 

29, 725 
606, 980 


110, 667 

1,486 

18,009 






Total 

Gill nets: 


44,972 


803, 500 


36, 631 


110, 204 


2, 046. 555 


93, 531 


155, 176 


2, 850, 055 


130, 162 


252, 044 
27, 623 
16, 472 


6,301,325 
139,115 
164, 720 


312, 563 
4,751 

6,090 


226, 053 
17,218 
15,970 


5, 759, 050 
86, 090 
159, 700 


281,470 
3,044 
4,785 


478, 097 
44,841 
32,442 


12, 060, 375 
225, 205 
324, 420 


594, 033 
7,795 
9,876 


Blueback 


Total 

Wheels : 


296, 139 


6,605,160 


322, 404 


259, 241 


6, 004, 840 


289, 299 


555, 380 


12. 610, 000 


611, 703 


15, 182 

140, 090 

6,329 

4,500 


379, 550 

700, 450 

63,290 

31,500 


12, 867 

23, 090 

2,043 

630 


6,876 

61, 064 

1.480 

2,540 


171, 900 

230, 322 

14, 800 

16, 780 


6,978 

9,260 

484 

503 


22, 058 

191, 154 

7,809 

7,040 


551, 450 

930, 772 

78,090 

48,280 


19,845 

32,350 

2,527 

1,133 






Sliver 


Total 


166, 101 


1,174,790 


38, 630 


61,960 


433, 802 


17, 225 


228, 061 


1, 608, 592 


65,855 


Dip nets and squaw nets : 


2,291 
16,910 
1,145 
5.142 


57, 283 
84,550 
11,450 
35, 994 


1,146 

1,841 

229 

540 


1,360 

8,112 

509 

3,175 


34,000 
40,560 
5,090 
22,225 


510 

608 

77 

333 


3,651 

25,022 

1,654 

8,317 


91,283 

125,110 

16,540 

58, 219 


1,656 

2,449 

306 

873 








Total 


25, 488 


189, 277 


3,756 


13, 156 


101,875 


1,528 


38.644 


291, 152 


5,284 


All apparatus: 


381,756 

221,495 

79,064 

9.642 


9, 544, 133 

1, 108, 475 

790, 605 

67, 494 


466, 872 

38, 899 

23,896 

1,170 


340, 669 

103, 037 

85,200 

5,715 


8,021,450 

490, 192 

852, 000 

39, 005 


421,882 

19, 427 

25, 517 

836 


722, 425 

324, 532 

164, 264 

15, 357 


18, 168, 583 

1, 598. 667 

1, 642, 605 

106, 499 


888,764 

58, 328 

49,213 

2,006 






Silver 


Total 


691, 957 


11, 610, 707 


630, 637 


534, 621 


10, 005, 647 


467, 662 


1, 226, 678 


21,516,354 


998.299 





INVESTIGATION? IN THE COLUMBIA K1VEK BASIN, 9 

D. — Table showing by apparatus the number, weight, and value of each species of salmon taken in the 

Columbia River in 1890. 



Apparatus and species. 


Oregon . 


Washington. 


Total. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Valne. 


No. 


Pounds. Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


Pound nets: 


104, 099 

50, 493 

51, 600 


2, 602, 475 
252, 465 
516, 000 


$78. 491 
5,048 


71, 346 
42. 097 


1,783,659 ' $53,510 
210, 485 4, 209 


175, 445 
92 590 


4, 386, 125 
462, 950 
930, 120 


$132, 001 
9,257 
9,300 






5,160 


41.412 




93, 012 








206, 192 


3, 370, 940 


88,699 


154. 855 


2, 408, 255 


61, 859 


361, 047 j 5, 779. 195 


150, 558 








Trap nets : 




3,629 

303 

2,979 


90, 725 

1,515 

29, 790 


2,721 

30 

298 


3,629 
303 

2, 979 


90, 725 

1,515 

29. 790 


2, 721 
30 
298 










i 




Total 


i 


6,911 


122, 030 


3. 049 


6, Oil 


122, 030 


3,049 


Seines : 


. . 


10,750 268,750 8,0e3 
2,250 | 11,250 225 
9,013 | 90,130 901 


53, 752 

14. 292 
36, 701 


1, 343, 800 

71, 460 

367, 010 


41, 402 
1, 425 
3,669 


64. 502 
16,542 
45,714 


1,612.550 

82. 710 
457, 140 


49, 465 
1,650 
4,570 


Bluebaok 


Total 

Gill nets : 


22, 013 


370, 130 | 9, 189 


104, 743 


1, 782, 270 


46, 496 


126, 758 


2, 152. 400 


55, 685 


369, 196 
81, 909 
29, 593 


9, 229, 700 
409, 545 
29E 835 


288, 730 
8,440 
3,819 


211,675 
25. 718 
18. 635 


5, 366, 675 
138, 590 


166, 167 
2.884 


580, 871 
107, 627 
48,228 


14, 596. 375 
548, 135 
482, 285 


454, 897 
11,324 
6,286 






Total 




480, 698 


9, 935, 180 


300, 989 


256, 028 


5,691,615 171,518 736,726 


15, 626, 795 


472, 507 


Wheels : 

Chinook 


83, 202 

529, 646 

71, 239 

4,660 


2, 080, 053 
2,648 15S 

712, 390 
31,612 


62, 401 

79, 444 

16, 474 

749 


27, 972 

207, 298 

13, 801 

1,500 


699, 317 

1,036,465 

138,010 

10, 500 


20, 979 

30, 431 

2,322 

210 


111,174 

736,914 

85, 040 

6,160 


2, 779, .170 

3, 684, 620 
850,400 

42.112 


83, 380 

109, 875 

18, 796 

959 






Total 


6SS, 747 


5, 472, 210 


159, 068 


250, 571 


1 . 884, 292 


53, 942 


939, 318 


7, 356. 502 


213,010 


Dip nets and squaw neta : 


5,021 

32, 748 
11,000 
10, 180 


125. 534 
103, 740 
110. 000 
71, 260 


1,958 
2,450 
1,650 
1,068 


2,242 
7,717 
1,402 
4,500 


56, 068 
38, 585 
14, 025 
31,500 


841 
579 
210 
472 


7,263 
40, 465 
12, 402 

14,680 


181,602 
202, 325 
124. 025 
102, 700 


2,799 
3, 029 
1,860 
1,540 








Total 


58, 949 


470, 534 


7,126 


15, 861 


140, 178 


2, 102 


74,810 


610,712 


9,228 


All apparatus : 


572, 268 

697, U46 

172, 445 

14, 840 


14, 306, 512 

3, 485, 155 

1, 724. 455 

102, 872 


439,643 

95, 607 

28,004 

1,817 


370, 616 

297, 425 

114, 930 

6,000 


9, 340, 235 

1, 497, 100 

1, 149, 305 

42, 000 


285, 620 

39, 558 

13, 106 

682 


942, 884 
994,471 
287, 375 
20, 840 


23, 646, 747 

4, 982, 255 

2, 873, 760 

144. S72 


725, 263 

135, 165 

41. 110 

2,499 






Silver 


Total 


1, 456, 599 


19, 618. 994 


565, 071 


788, 971 


12, 028, 640 


338, 966 ^2, 245, 570 

I 


31, 647, 634 


904.037 



10 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



E. — Table showing by apparatus the number, weight, and value of each species of salmon taken in the 

Columbia Iiiver in 1891. 



Apparatus and species. 


Oregon. 


"Washington. 


Total. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pouuds. 


Value. 


Pound nets: 


108, 983 
22, 988 
54, 080 


2, 724, 575 
114.040 
510, 800 


$108, 983 
2,298 
7, 029 


94, 624 
52, 164 
44,448 


2, 365, 600 
260, 840 
444, 464 


$94, 594 
5,336 
6,308 


203, 607 
75, 152 
98,528 


5, 090, 175 
375, 780 
985, 264 


$203, 577 
7,634 
13, 337 




Total 


186, 051 


3,380,315 


118,310 101 536 


3, 070, 904 


106, 238 


377, 287 


6,451,219 


224. .'.IS 


Trap nets : 






630 

148 
786 


15, 750 

740 

7,860 


630 

15 

118 


712 


17, 800 


712 


1, 342 
148 

1,287 


33, 550 

740 

12, 870 


1,342 
15 

193 






501 


5,010 


75 




1.564 


24, 350 


763 


1,213 


22, 810 


787 


2,777 


47, 160 


1.550 


Seines : 


16,489 

2. 252 

5,092 

857 


412, 225 
11,260 
50, 920 
5,999 


16, 489 
225 
919 
190 


48, 596 
8,325 
27, 469 


1,214,900 
41, 625 
274, 690 


36, 884 
1,221 
5,467 


65, 085 

10, 577 

32, 561 

857 


1,027,125 

52, 885 

325, 610 

5,999 


53, 373 

1.416 

li, 386 
190 








Total 








24,690 


480, 404 


17,823 


84,390 


1, 531, 215 


43 572 


109, 080 


2,011,619 


61, 395 


Gill nets: 


448, 500 

25, 679 

17, 274 

285 


11, 212, 500 
131, 395 

172, 740 
1, 995 


447, 031 

4, 102 

3,541 

60 


208, 633 

15, 268 

20, 581 

694 


5, 341, 525 

76, 340 

205, 815 

4,858 


208, 593 

2,589 

3,468 

145 


657, 133 

40, 947 

37, 855 

979 


16, 554, 025 

207, 735 

378, 555 

6,853 


655, 624 

6. 691 

7,009 

205 








Total 


491, 738 


11 518 R30 


454, 734 


245, 176 


5, 028, 538 


214,795 


736, 914 


17, 147, 168 


669, 529 


Wheels: 




23, 645 
SI 1,004 
27, 053 
4,920 


591.153 

400, 020 

270, 530 

34,440 


17, 735 

12, 000 

6,675 

933 


9,621 
36, 675 
11,536 

2,730 


240, 540 

183, 375 

115,360 

19,110 


7,216 

5,502 

3,460 

573 


33, 266 

116, 679 

38, 589 

7,650 


831, 693 

583, 395 

385, 890 

53, 550 


24, 951 
17.502 

10, 135 
1,506 


Blueback 




Total 


135, 622 


1,296,143 


37, 343 


60,562 


558, 385 


16, 751 


196, 184 


1, 854, 528 


54, 094 


Dip nets and squaw nets: 


2,943 
30, 436 
7, 459 

10, 370 


73, 591 
152, 182 
74, 590 
72, 591 


1,119 
2,388 
1,149 
1,089 


403 

13,887 
2,016 
4, 260 


10, 083 
60,918 
20. 164 
29, 820 


151 
914 
302 
447 


3, 346 
44. 323 

9,475 
14,630 


83, 674 
213, 100 

94. 754 
102, 411 


1,270 
3, 302 
1,451 
1,536 








Total 


51, 208 


372, 954 


5,745 


20, 566 


120, 985 


1,814 


71,774 


493, 939 


7,559 


All apparatus: 


601, 190 

101,507 

111,744 

16, 432 


15,029,794 

810,537 

1,117,440 

115, 025 


591,987 
21, 028 
19,431 
2,272 


362, 589 

126,319 

106. 551 

7,684 


9, ion,. US 

623, 098 

1, 065, 503 

53, 788 


348, 150 

15, 562 

19, 080 

1,165 


963, 779 
287, 826 
218. 295 
24, 116 


24, 220, 242 

1,433,635 

2, 182, 943 

168, 813 


940. 137 

36, 590 

38,511 

:t. 437 


Blueback 

Sli't'lbead 


SUver 


Total 


890, 873 


11,072,796 


634, 718 


603, 143 


10,932,837 


383, 957 


1, 494, 016 


28, 005, 633 


1,018, ti7. r . 





INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



11 



V.— Table showing by apparatus the number, weight, and value of each species of salmon taken in. the 

Columbia River in 1S92. 



Apparatus and species. 


Oregon. 


Washington. 


Total. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


No. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


L'ouihI uets : 

Chinook 

Blueback 

Steelhead 

Total 


127, 627 
99, (102 
112.601 


3,191,675 

49S, U10 

1, 126, 610 


$127. 027 
10,010 
16, 899 


89, 852 
191,222 
70, 998 


2, 246, 300 
956,110 
769, 980 


$89, 852 
19, 122 
11,549 


217, 479 

'J'.ni s-4 
189, 059 


5, 537, 975 
1,454, 120 
1, 896, 590 


$217, 479 
2:l. 132 
28, 448 


339, 890 


4, 816, 295 


154, 536 


358, 072 


3, 972, 390 


120, 523 


697, 962 


8, 788, 685 


275, 059 


Trap nets: 


530 
240 
879 


13, 250 
1,200 
8,790 


530 
24 
132 


20 


500 


20 


550 

240 

1,029 


13,750 

1,200 

10, 290 


550 
24 

282 






150 


1,500 


150 




1,649 


23,240 


686 


170 


2, 000 


170 


1,819 


25,240 


856 


Seines: 

Chinook 


27, 707 

48. 347 

18, 544 

1,428 


689, 535 

237, 735 

185, 352 

10. 000 


20, 686 

7,132 

3,707 

300 


27, 582 
75, 031 
34,843 


689. 550 
375, 185 
348, 430 


20, 687 

11,256 

6,969 


55, 289 

123, 378 

53, 387 

1,428 


1, 379, 085 

612, 920 

533, 782 

10, 000 


41,373 

18, 388 

10, 676 

300 






Total 








96, 026 


1, 122, 622 


31, 825 


137, 456 


1,413,165 


38. 912 


233, 482 


2, 535, 787 


70, 737 


Gill nets: 


355, 715 
94, 141 
37, 043 


8, 892, 870 
470, 705 
370, 430 


355,715 
9,714 
5,866 


223, 197 

21, 021 

33, 428 

711 


5, 715, 675 

110, 105 

334, 280 

5,000 


223, 167 

3,303 

5,090 

150 


578,912 

115,162 

70, 471 

714 


14,608,545 

580, 810 

704,710 

5,000 


578, 882 

13, 017 

10, 956 

150 








Total 








486, 899 


9, 734, 005 


371, 295 


278, 360 


6,165,060 


231,710 


765, 259 


15, 899, 065 


603, 005 


Wheels: 


45, 964 

314, 585 

95, 654 

39, 255 


1, 149, 115 

1, 572, 923 

956, 540 

274, 785 


34, 474 

47, 187 

28, 696 

8,234 


16, 705 

14\ 760 

45, 056 

4,872 


417, 630 

728, 832 

450, 560 

34, 104 


12, 529 
21, 865 

13, 517 
1,023 


62, 669 
460, 351 
140, 710 

44,127 


1. 566, 745 

2,3111,755 

1,407.100 

:»>.- SS'.I 


47, 003 

69, 052 . 

42, 213 

9,257 








Total 


495, 458 


3, 953, 363 


118, 591 


212, 399 


1,631,126 


48, 934 


707, 857 


5, 584, 489 


167, 525 


Dip nets and squaw nets: 


1,356 
59, 023 

6,780 
12, 386 


33, 900 

295, 109 

67, 802 

86, 703 


509 
4,427 
1,017 
1,301 


578 
15, 380 
2,890 
4,850 


14,450 
76, 900 
28, 900 
33, 950 


217 

1,154 

434 

510 


1,934 

74, 403 
9,670 
17, 236 


48, 350 
372. 009 

96, 702 
120, 653 


726 
5,581 
1,451 
1,811 


Blueback 






79, 545 


483, 514 


7,254 


23, 698 


154, 200 


2,315 


103, 243 


637, 714 


9,509 


All apparatus: 


558, 899 
615, 938 
271, 561 
53, 069 


13, 970, 345 

3, 075, 682 

2,715,524 

371,488 


539, 541 

78, 494 

56,317 

9,835 


357, 934 

448, 420 

193, 365 

10, 436 


9, 084, 105 

2,247,132 

1, 933, 650 

73, 054 


346, 472 

56, 700 

37, 709 

1,683 


916. 833 

1,064,358 

464, 926 

63, 505 


23, 054, 450 

5,322,814 

4,649,174 

444, 542 


886, 013 

135,194 

94, 026 

11,518 


Bluebaok 






1, 499, 467 


20, 133, 039 


684, 187 


1, 010, 155 


13, 337, 941 


442, 564 


2, 509, 622 


33, 470, 980 


1,126,751 





The number and location of the salmon canneries operated on the Columbia River 
in the years 1889 to 1892 were as follows: 



Location. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


1892. 


Location. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


1892. 


Oregon : 


8 
1 
1 
1 
1 


8 

1 
1 
1 
1 


8 
1 
1 
1 
1 


8 


Washington: 


1 


1 


1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 


1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

i 






Maple Bell 






1 
1 
1 
1 

1 
1 
1 
1 






Dalles 

Celilo 






















12 


12 


12 


14 
















Total 


9 


9 


1,1 


10 


Grand total 


21 


21 


22 


24 I 



* This cannery, on the Willamette River, received its fish from the Columbia River. 



12 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



The proportion of each species of salmon in the salmon pack of the Columbia 
liiver from 1889 to 1892 is shown in Table G : 

G. — Table showing by species the salmon pack of the Columbia liiver from 1889 to 189-2. 



States and species. 



Oregon : 

Chinook . . 
Blueback . 
Steelhead. 
Silver 



Total. 

"Washington: 
Chinook .. 
Blueback . 
Steelhead 
Silver 



Total . 



Total for river : 

Chinook 

Blueback . . . 
Steelhead . . . 
Silver 



Total . 



1889. 



Cases. 



140, 741 
15, 1179 
11,0.12 



168, 412 



125, 956 
1,818 
13, 699 



141, 473 



266, 697 
17, 797 
25, 391 



309, 8S5 



Value. 



$844, 446 
90, 628 
49, 899 



984, 973 



755, 736 
10, 423 
58, 688 



824, 847 



Cases. 



196, 414 
53, 351 
26,608 



276. 373 



139, 190 
3,994 
16, 217 



1, 600, 182 335, 004 
101,051 57,345 

108, 587 42, 825 



1,809,820 435,774 



Value. 



$1, 138, 787 
268, 104 
106, 432 



1, 513, 323 



222, 963 
10, 859 
15, 584 



807. 300 
21, 965 
64, 868 



1, 946. 087 
290, 069 
171, 300 



2, 407, 456 



130, 944 
4,623 
13, 980 



149, 547 



Value. 



$1, 279. 092 
58. 81fi 
62, 236 



1892. 
Cases. Value. 



214, 031 
51, 106 
45,403 
4,176 



1,400,144 : 315,316 



759, 474 
25, 426 
55, 920 



840. 820 



353. 907 
15, 482 
29,564 



2, 038. 566 
84. 242 
118, 156 



398,953 2, 24H. <J04 



129, 636 
15,441 
26, 945 



172, 022 



344, 267 

66, 547 

72,348 

4,176 



487, 338 



$1, 244, 500 
287,984 

181,012 
20, 880 



1, 734. 976 



751,888 
84, 925 
107, 280 



944, 093 



1,996.388 

372. 909 

288, 892 

20, ^8" 



2, 679, 069 



In 1893 the pack of chinook salmon amounted to 290,000 cases. 

The extent to which the different species of salmon enter into the pack, and 
the variations in the proportions during the four years covered by the figures, are 
shown in the following table. It appears that iu 1892 the percentage of chinook sal 
mon canned was less and that of each of the other species greater than in any of the 
preceding years. 

Percentage of each species of salmon in the salmon pack of the Columbia Riverfront 18S9 to 1893. 



Species. 


1889. 


1890. 


1891. 


1892. 




86.00 
5.74 
8.20 


77.01 
13.16 
9.83 


88.7! 
3.88 
7.41 


70.64 

13.65 

14.85 

.86 








Total 






100. 00 


100. 00 


100. 00 


ioo. oe 





In discussing the data furnished by the foregoing tables and others which will 
follow, I will confine myself to the chinook salmon for the following reasons: 

1. It is the most important species considered economically. 

2. It is taken equally by all forms of apparatus. 

3. Active fishing operations continue practically during the entire period of its 
sojourn iu the river, and it is therefore the species which would be the first to feel the 
influence of excessive fishing. 

These consideratious do not apply with equal force to the other species, viz, the 
steelhead, the blueback, and the silverside, which are taken under similar conditions 
and at present constitute about one fourth of the entire pack. 

The spawning run of the steelhead takes place before fishing operations have 
beaun on the river. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 13 

The spawning run of the silverside takes place after canning operations are 
concluded for the season, while the small size of the blueback gives it comparative 
immunity from capture by the gill nets, which take much the larger part of the king 
salmon. 

Eefcrring to Table Gr we find that the pack of the chinook or king salmon on the 
Columbia Kiver in the years 1889, 1890, 1S91, 1892, and 1893 was as follows: 

No. of cases. 

1889 266,697 

1890 335, 604 

1891 353,907 

1892 344,207 

1893 290, 000 

Or an average of 318,095 cases per annum. 

In the previous five years, beginning with 1884, the pack of salmon, consisting 
almost entirely of chiuock, was as follows: 

No. of cases. 

1884 620,000 

1885 553,800 

1886 448,500 

1887 356,000 

1888 372,477 

Or an average of 470.155 cases per annum. 

It will be seen that in the five years beginning in 1881, the average pack per 
season was 152,060 cases in excess of the average pack of the five-year period begin- 
ning in 1889. During the latter period the amount of netting in use had been greatly 
increased, the fishing season extended, and the movement of the salmon into and up 
the river more completely intercepted. 

Undoubtedly, for the reasons above stated, the proportion of the entire run of 
salmon caught was larger in the latter than in the former period of five years, which 
suggests that the decrease of salmon in the latter period compared is probably larger 
than is indicated by the difference in the average catch. There is no reason to doubt 
that this decrease is due to and inherent in the conditions under which the salmon 
fisheries of the river are now prosecuted, and that it will continue progressively so 
long as these conditions continue. 

The lower average of the pack during the five-year period ending with 1893 is 
due to conditions interfering with and limiting natural reproduction during the period 
of 1884 to 1888, when access to the head waters was not impeded to the extent it now 
is by the fishing operations. The influence of the more effective exclusion of the 
salmon from their breeding-grounds for the last five years is yet to be disclosed. 
The seed for the harvest of the present year was sown in 1S88 or 1889. What the 
extent of the harvest will be depends upon the opportunity that was afforded in these 
years for the salmon to reach their spawning-grounds. 

For the. ensuing five years we are powerless to influence conditions. What the 
production will be has been already determined, so far as we can influence it either by 
the regulation of the fisheries or by artificial propagation. There is every reason to 
apprehend that for the five years to come the average production of king salmon will 
be lower even than the average for the five years just passed. This is the penalty 



14 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



tlnit must be paid for the improvidence and total disregard of the conditions necessary 
to maintain supply which has characterized the operations of the salmon fishermen on 
the Columbia River. 

ARTIFICIAL PROPAGATION OF SALMON ON THE COLOMBIA RIVER. 

In 1888 the U. S. Fish Commission, by direction of Congress, established a salmon- 
hatching station on the Clackamas River, Oregon. The work done is given in the 
following table: 



Statement showing the number of Quinnat salmon eggs collected anil fry distributed from Clackamas Station 
since its organization by the U. S. Fish Commission to the close of the fiscal year 1S93. 



Fiscal year— 


Eggs collected. 


Hugs 
distributed. 


Fry 

distributed. 


1888 89 


4, 500, 000 

4, 314, 000 

5, 860. 000 
2, 036, 000 
4, 444, 000 




4, 500, 000 
2, 766, 475 
4, 902, 000 
1, 332. 100 
4, 100, 000 


lK.K'.l (III 

189.1 01 


1, 000, 00» 
700, 000 


1891 92 


1892 93 




Total 




21,154,000 


1, 700, 000 


17, 600, 875 





Note. — The fry were all deposited iu the Clackamas River. The 1,700,000 eggs were 
furnished to the Oregon fish commission and the fry produced were deposited in the 
Clackamas River. 

This work was undertaken on the urgent solicitation of those concerned in the 
salmon fisheries of the Columbia River, who realized that their fisheries were being 
exhausted, and it was hoped that some compensation for the deficiency in natural 
reproduction could be made by artificial stocking and breeding. It is certain that 
this work lias exercised some conservative influence upon the catch. It is doubtful, 
however, whether it has been on a sufficiently extensive .scale to compensate for the 
damage resulting from the interference with natural reproduction by the operation of 
the fisheries. 

THE FISHING-GROUNDS. 

On the accompanying charts, the locations of the fishiug-grounds resorted to by 
the fishermen using different kinds of apparatus are indicated, and the number and 
position of the fixed appliances operated in 1892 are shown. 

The fishing-grounds of the Lower Columbia extend from the mouth of the river to 
Kalama. The apparatus employed consists of gill nets, pound nets, and haul seines. 

The greater number of pound nets are located in Baker Bay, on the Washington 
side of the river and on the outside of Sand Island. They are not, however, confined 
to this region, but are located at every point of vantage on both sides of the river, from 
tlic mouth up to Kalama, a distance of 80 miles. 

The haul seines are located either on the shores or flats, wherever a desirable 
Ideal ion can be found. 

The principal region of gill-net fishing extends from the mouth of the river to 
Cathlamet Bay, and covers, practically, the entire river outside of the limits of the 
pound nets. Other important areas of gill-net fishing are in Cordell channel, in the 
channel and back of the islands opposite Pillar Rock and Brooklield, and in the 
long reach of river from Paget Island to Eagle Cliff. Minor fishing operations are 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 15 

conducted between Kalama and the Cascades, both in the river and its tributaries, 
such as the Willamette, the Cowlitz, etc. The fishing operations on the Upper Colum- 
bia, from the Cascades to the mouth of the Deschutes River, are conducted almost 
exclusively with salmon wheels, which are turned by the force of the current. These, 
when properly located and operated, constitute most effective engines of capture. 

A careful examination of the charts giving the number and location of the 
different fishing apparatus will show how effectually the salmon are embarrassed or 
intercepted in their attempts to reach their spawning-grounds. It is not a matter of 
wonder that, under existing conditions, there has been a serious deterioration in the 
value of these fisheries. It is, indeed, a matter of surprise that any salmon have 
been able to elude the labyrinth of nets which bar their course to the Upper Columbia. 
It is hardly an exaggeration to state that the entire volume of this great river is 
strained through the meshes of the innumerable nets which occupy and obstruct 
every passageway to the spawning-grounds. It is certain that the continuation of 
these fisheries under present conditions will eventually result in rendering them 
unremunerative. It concerns alike the whole people of the State, as well as those 
directly interested in the fisheries, that such regulations of the times, methods, and 
apparatus of these fisheries should be established and enforced as are necessary to 
maintain supply. 

THE FISHING SEASON. 

It is a wise policy on the part of the State to encourage the largest catch that can 
be permitted consistent with maintenance of supply; to impose no unnecessary embar- 
rassments or restrictions upon the enterprise of the fishermen, yet at the same time 
to insist upon such protective regulations and restraints as may be found necessary 
to prevent the serious impairment of an important industry by the operations of the 
fishermen. The fishermen themselves, who have such important interests at stake 
and the security and profit of whose, large investments depend upon the maintenance 
of the salmon supply, should be prompt to propose and vigilant to enforce such regu- 
lations as may be necessary to this end. The nature of the protective regulations 
which can be enforced with the least restraint or embarrassment to the salmon fisheries 
and the canning industries is indicated by reference to the following table, showing by 
months the number and weight of each species of salmon taken for canning on the 
Columbia River. 



16 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



Tabic showing by months the number and tceight of each species of salmon utilized for canning purposes 
on the Columbia River in 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1892. 



Years and mouths. 


Chinook salmon. 


Blueback salmon. 


Steelhead salmon. 


Silver salmon. 


Total. 


Number 
of fish. 


Gross 

weight. 


Number 
of fish. 


Gross 
weight. 


Number 
of fish. 


Gross 
weight. 


Number 
of fish. 


Gross 
weight. 


Number 

offish. 


Gross 
weight. 


1889 April 


89, 266 
156,117 
168, 959 
301, 254 


Pounds. 
2, 231, 650 

3, 902, 925 

4, 223, 975 
7, 535, 350 


36, 676 
76,517 
82,453 
36, 717 


Pounds. 
183, 380 
382, 585 
412, 265 
183, 585 


9,408 
14, 709 
62, 695 
76, 166 


Pounds. 

94, 080 

147, 090 

626, 950 

761, 660 




Pounds. 


135, 350 
247, 343 
314,107 
414, 137 


Pounds. 
2,509,110 
4, 432, 600 
5,263,190 
8, 480, 595 




















Total 
1890— April 






715, 596 


17, 893, 900 


232, 363 


1, 161, 815 


162, 978 


1, 629, 780 






1,110,937 


20, 685, 495 






32, 727 
236, 77B 
252, 754 
357, 183 

13,941 


818, 175 
5, 919, 400 
6, 318, 850 
8, 932, 575 

348, 525 


63, 180 


315.900 


11,005 
22, 983 
87, 567 
139, 596 
15, 535 


110,050 
229, 830 
875, 670 
1, 395, 960 
155, 350 






106, 912 
462, 339 
637, 555 
647, 078 
51, 583 


1, 244, 125 

7, 162, 130 

8, 680, 690 

11,080,030 

614, 410 




202,580 |1, 012, 900 

297, 234 ll, 486, 170 

150, 299 | 751, 495 

22,107 1 110,535 


















Total 










893, 381 


22, 337, 525 


735,400 3,677,000 


276, 686 


2, 766, 860 






1, 905, 467 


28, 781, 385 










1891— April 


82, 413 


2, 060, 325 

4, 502. 250 

5, 599, 100 
9, 956, 175 
1, 466, 750 


17, 437 
55,229 
83, 743 
32, 389 
3,701 


87, 185 
276, 145 
418,715 
161, 945 

18, 505 


5,178 
13, 314 
52, 676 

97, 900 
21, 286 


51,780 
133, 140 
526, 760 
979, 000 
212, 860 






105, 028 
252, 633 
360, 383 
528, 536 
83,657 


2, 199. 290 
4, 911, 535 
6, 544, 575 
11, 097, 120 
1,698,115 




184. 090 

223, 964 

39,-i. L'47 

58, 670 












July 






August 

1892 April 








947, 384 


23, 584, 600 


192,499 


962, 495 


190, 354 


1, 903, 540 






1, 330, 237 


26, 450, 635 








55, 021 
187,492 
239, 498 
343, 421 

84,124 


1, 375, 525 

4, 687, 300 

5, 98:, 450 
8, 585, 525 
2, 103, 100 


86,449 
308, 946 
330, 558 
128, 043 

19, 110 


432, 245 
1, 544, 730 
1, 652, 790 

640, 215 
95, 550 


10, 503 
32, 795 
141,194 
199. 333 
52, 991 
11,293 
22, 629 


105, 030 
327, 950 
1,411,940 
1, 993, 330 
529, 910 
112, 930 
226, 290 






151, 973 

711, 250 
670, 797 
156, 225 
30, 782 
56, 595 


I, 912, 800 

6, 559, 980 

9, 052, 180 

11,219,070 

2, 728, 560 

249, 353 

464, 052 








June 






August 






19,489 
33, 966 


130. 4'J3 
237, 762 












Total 










909, 556 


22, 738, 900 


873, 106 


4, 365, 530 


470, 738 


4, 707, 380 


53, 455 ' 374, 185 

1 


2, 306. 855 


32,185,995 



In 1889 the fishing season extended from the 1st of April to the 31st of July. 
The total catch of chinook salmon amounted to 17,893,900 pounds, 87£ per cent of 
this amount being taken in May, June, and July, and 12£ per cent during the month 
of April. 

In 1890 the fishing extended from April 10 to August 10, inclusive, and yielded a 
total product of 22,337,525 pounds of chinook salmon. Of this amount, 94* per cent 
was taken in May, June, and July, and 1£ per cent during April and August. 

In 1891 the fishing season extended from April 10 to August 10, inclusive, the 
total product of chinook salmon being 23,584,600 pounds, 85 per cent of which was 
taken in May, June, and July, and 15 per cent in April and August. 

In 1892 the total catch of chinook salmon amounted to 22,738,900 pounds, and the 
fishing season extended from April 10 to August 10, and during September and 
October; 85 per cent of the total catch was made in the months of May, June, and 
July; 15 per cent in April and August; none in September or October. 

It will be evident from the percentages given above, and by reference to the table, 
that the most productive fishing operations for the pound-net and gill-net region of 
the river are during the months of May, June, and July. The number of chinook salmon 
taken in April and August is relatively small, and under conditions not so profitable, 
either to the canneries or the fishermen, as those carried on during the months of May, 
June, and July. The April run of this salmon, if allowed to pass without interruption 
to the headwaters of the Columbia and its tributaries, would spawn in those waters, 
and the present productive capacity of the river would be increased to such an extent 
as to much more than compensate for the restrictions imposed by the prohibition of 
the fishery operations during the month of April. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 17 

The August run of cliinook salmon consists of gravid fish near their spawning 
time. The tlesh for this reason has undergone deterioration, and if canned constitutes 
au inferior product, the sale of which will discredit the reputation which the Columbia 
River salmon justly hold in public estimation. None of the August run of chinooks 
probably ascends the Columbia above the Dalles. They spawn in the tributary 
streams of the Lower Columbia aud in the main stream between the Dalles and the 
mouth of the river. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 

Having in view the considerations above presented, there can be no doubt of the 
necessity of restrictive regulations to maintain the salmon fisheries of the Columbia 
River. The enactment and enforcement of such regulations as may be necessary 
to this end is the prerogative of the States occupying the Columbia River basin. 
There is no precedent for the exercise by the General Government of control over 
the fisheries of our interior waters, except in so far as the forms of apparatus in use 
might be regarded as obstructions or impediments to navigation. 

Whether the power to regulate the fisheries of interstate and bounding territo- 
rial waters is vested in the General Government or in the States is a subject which 
has provoked, and will continue to provoke, controversy until the respective rights 
aud powers of individual States and the General Government are duly ascertained and 
defined by the courts of last resort. Having reference, however, to the interests of the 
fisheries, there is no doubt that these interests would be best subserved by uniform 
and concurrent regulations covering the entire region in which any special fishery is 
prosecuted. 

In the case of the Columbia, we find that the great market fisheries for the salmon 
are prosecuted in the lower river, and the immediate evident advantage is to those 
who are engaged in the capture of the salmon or in canning them for the market. 
On the other hand, the nurseries for the young salmon, upon the abundance of which 
depend the productiveness and profit of the fisheries in the lower river, are in the 
remote tributaries and sources of the river in Washington, Oregon, aud Idaho. 

Regulations and restrictions of the net fisheries, so as to permit a reasonable 
number of salmon to reach their spawning-ground in the upper rivers, and protection 
of the salmon in these waters during their spawning season, in September and October, 
present the conditions to be fulfilled to keep up supply, so far as this can be accom 
plished by legal restraints. 

To effectively restrain or regulate the net fisheries requires the concurrent action 
of the States of Washington and Oregon. Effective protection to the salmon on their 
spawning-grounds can be established only by concurrent action on the part of Wash- 
ington, Oregon, and Idaho establishing a close season during the months of September 
aud October. Here a serious difficulty arises. On the one hand it will be urged by 
the net fishermen of Washington and Oregon that any restraint on their operations 
will he burdensome to them without any corresponding advantage, since the fish they 
permit to escape their nets will be taken in the head waters to which they go before 
they have had an opportunity to spawn, and so they will be subject to serious losses 
and inconvenience without any compensating advantage. On the other hand, the 
citizens of eastern Washington and Oregon and of remote Idaho will be reluctant to 
impose any restraints on their own people in reference to the taking of salmon, for the 
reason that any increase in the fishery arising thereby will inure solely to the benefit 
of the fishermen between the Dalles and the mouth of the river. 
S. Mis. 200 2 



18 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

The necessity of concurrent action on the part of the States occupying the Colum- 
bia River Basin, and of their cordial cooperation in measures necessary to maintain 
the salmon fishery of the Columbia River and to improve it, is evident from a con- 
sideration of the facts presented. The investigations of the U. S. Fish Commission in 
the Columbia River Basin made under the instructions of Congress clearly indicate 
that there is a serious deterioration in the product and value of the salmon fisheries 
of this river; that this deterioration is to be attributed in large part, if not entirely, to 
the exclusion of the salmon from their spawning-grounds by the operations of the net 
fishermen, and that artificial propagation on an adequate scale to compensate for the 
waste of the fisheries is no longer possible under existing conditions of the fisheries. 

The initial step in attempting the restoration of the salmon fishery is to restrict 
and regulate the net fishing. The restriction that may be put in force with the least 
hardship to the fishermen is the shortening of the season of net fishing. 

The use of pounds, gill nets, traps, and seines in the lower river, from the Cascades 
to the mouth, should be limited strictly to the months of May, June, and July. The 
wheels should not be permitted to take salmon prior to the middle of May, so as to 
permit the salmon which have entered the river in April the opportunity to pass up 
to the head waters. A further closed season for wheels should be established from 
the 1st of August to the 10th of September, so as to provide for the uninterrupted 
spawning of the August run of salmon. There does not at present appear sufficient 
reason to prohibit the wheel fishing during the balance of September and during the 
month of October. Protection for the salmon which have thus been enabled to reach 
their spawning-grounds should be afforded by a close season during the months of 
September and October, covering the streams in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho to 
which the salmon resort for breeding. 

Should the policy above outlined be adopted by these States and the requisite 
measures to carry it into effect be enacted and enforced, it will be possible for the IT. S. 
Fish Commission and the State commissions to greatly enlarge their fish-cultural 
operations, and to prosecute them under much more satisfactory and economical con- 
ditions than at the present time. Until the States interested adopt measures to 
restrain net fishing, so as to permit a portion at least of the salmon entering the river 
to pass up to their spawning grounds, it is not deemed wise or expedient to attempt 
to increase or extend the work of artificial propagation of the salmon. 

All efforts will be disappointing, unprofitable, and nugatory so long as the fisheries 
continue under existing conditions, and I would recommend, therefore, that no further 
steps be taken at present looking to the establishment of additional salmon-breediiii: 
stations in the Columbia lliver Basin. 

Marshall McDonald, 
U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 



Plate II. 




mrmssion.of Fislu 
allM c Doiaald,Co, 



HARTOF 

•^OLUM 

MGTHE LOCA 

S AND SALTVI 

OPERATED I 
18 92. 
Scale of St-atnte > 



NOTE 

'ishing Wheels.. 

* » it 

crveri<es 



A 



T 











S Mis &CC 53 2 



Plate 111. 




S Mis 200 53 2 




fits zoo bJ a 



A REPORT UPON INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN, WITH 
DESCRIPTIONS OF FOUR NEW SPECIES OF FISHES. 



BY 
CHARLES H. GILBERT, Professor of Zoology/, Leland Stanford Junior University.. 

AND 

BARTON W. EVER MANN, Ichthyologist of the U. S. Fish Commission. 



INTRODUCTION. 

The investigations upon which this report is primarily based were provided for 
by two items in the sundry civil bill, approved August 5, 1892. The first of these 
items authorized the expenditure, from the appropriation for inquiry respecting food- 
fishes, of the sum of $2,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, " in examining 
the Clarke's Fork of the Columbia River, with the view to ascertain the obstructions 
which prevent the ascent of salmon in said river to the Flathead Lake and adjacent 
waters." The second item provided " for investigation and report respecting the 
advisability of establishing a hatching station at some suitable point in the State of 
Washington, $1,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary." 

The purposes of these two investigations were very intimately related. Any 
inquiry regarding obstructions which might interfere with the movements of salmon 
in any of the tributaries of the Columbia would have a bearing upon the advisa- 
bility of establishing a salmon-hatchery at any point in that river basin. These two 
inquiries were therefore conducted as one, and the results are presented in a single 
report. 

This work was begun in September, 1892, by Dr. Charles E. Gorham, engineer 
and architect of the Commission, assisted by Mr. Barton A. Bean, of the U. S. 
National Museum, and Mr. A. J. Woolman, teacher of science in the high school at 
South Bend, Ind. Dr. Gorham died before the completiou of the investigation, and 
Prof. Evermann was instructed by the Commissioner to continue the work during the 
summer of 1893. While carrying on these investigations he had the assistance of Drs. 
Charles H. Gilbert, Oliver P. Jenkins, and W. W. Thoburn, and Mr. Cloud. Butter, all 
of Leland Stanford Junior University. The work was taken up by us at Pocatello, 
Idaho, August 2, it having been determined to iuclude an examination of the obstruc- 
tions in Snake Biver and a preliminary study of the natural-history features of the 
upper waters of the Columbia basin, with special reference to the present or former 
occurrence of salmon in those streams. 

19 



20 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

To expedite matters as much as possible in the limited time which could be given 
to the work, the force was divided into two parties at Pocatello. Gilbert, Thoburn, 
and Kutter were instructed to go down Snake River, examine the various falls in that 
stream, make investigations as to the physical and natural history characteristics of 
as many of the tributary streams as possible, and then carry on similar inquiries along 
the Columbia from Idaho to the Lower Columbia. Evermann and Jenkins went up 
the Snake River to Idaho Falls, where the rapids were examined, and then proceeded 
to Sand Point, Idaho, where was begun the examination of Clarke Fork or the Pend 
d'Oreille River, the latter being the name by which this river is generally known in 
that region. The Pend d'Oreille River was examined throughout the entire distance 
from Sand Point to within a few miles of the international boundary line. The two 
parties came together at Spokane. From this point Evermann returned east, and the 
work was continued by Gilbert, Jenkins, Thoburn, and Butter. 

Investigations were made at various points in the Lower Columbia basin, chiefly 
for the purpose of selecting a site for a salmon hatchery and for gaining information 
respecting the occurrence and abundance of salmon in the various streams tributary 
to the Lower Columbia. 

While carrying on the investigations regarding the obstructions to the free move- 
ment of salmon in these rivers and the selection of a salmon-hatchery site, considerable 
opportunities occurred for a study of the natural history of the salmon and the general 
natural-history features of the waters of the Columbia basin. Considerable valuable 
information was obtained regarding the former as well as the present distribution of 
salmon in this region. 

Large collections of fishes were made at the various places where collecting was 
possible, and their study has greatly increased our knowledge of the variations in 
and the geographic distribution of the fresh-water fishes of the northwestern United 
States. 

In this report we give (1) detailed descriptions of the various streams visited by 
the different members of the party; (2) a list of the species of fishes obtained in the 
Columbia River basin, together with a discussion of their relationships and distribu- 
tion; (3) notes on the breeding colors of the whitefish (Goregonus williamsoni), by 
Barton A. Bean; and (4) an annotated list of the reptiles and batrachians obtained. 

The time which has been given to the study of the various problems pertaining 
to the salmon question has been wholly inadequate to a satisfactory understanding of 
the matter, and any views which we veuture to give in this paper must be regarded 
as tentative. An exhaustive study of the natural history of the various species of 
salmon and trout of the Columbia has never been made. The investigations now in 
progress will, it is confidently expected, lead to a much better understanding of the 
questions involved. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 21 



LIST OF STREAMS EXAMINED. 

The following is a classified list of the streams examined, together with the dates 
upon which the various places were visited: 

Snake River: President Camp, Wyoming, August 14, 1891 (Evermann and Jenkins); Idaho Falls, 

August 4 and 5 (Evermann and Jenkins); American Falls, August 5 (Gilbert) ; Shoshone 

Falls, August 6 (Gilbert) ; Twin Falls, August 6 (Gilbert) ; Auger Falls, August 7 (Gilbert) ; 

Blue Lakes, August 7 (Gilbert); Upper and Lower Salmon Falls, August 7 (Gilbert); Moulli 

of Boise River, Caldwell, Idaho, August 8 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Batter); Payette, Idaho, 

August 10, and Lewiston, Idaho, August 15 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Ross Fork of Snake River, near Pocatello, Idaho, August 4 (party). 
Port Neuf River, Pocatello, August 2 (Evermann and Rutter) and August 3 (party). 
Mink Creek near Pocatello, August 3 (party). 

Little Wood River near Shoshone, August 5 (Thoburn and Rutter). 
Boise River near Caldwell, August 8 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Payette River at Payette, August 9 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Clearwater River near Lewiston, August 15 and 16 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Pol latch Creek near Lewiston, August 16 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Palouse River near Colfax, Washington, August 17 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Putter). 
Grande Ronde River near La Grande, August 11 (Thoburn). 
Pataha River at Starbuck, August 14 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Pend d'Oreille Hirer: Throughout the entire distance from Albany Falls, Idaho, to Big Eddy Cation, 

near the international boundary line, August 9 to 15 (Evermann and Jenkins), and from its 

mouth to tho international boundary, September 23 to 26, 1892 (Gorham and Bean). 
Deer Lodge, Little Blackfoot, Big Blackfoot, Hell Gate, Bitter Root. Missoula, and Flathead rivers, 

together with many of their tributary streams, July and August, 1891 (Evermann and Jenkins). 
Flathead Lake, August 1 to 4, 1891 (Evermann and Jenkins), and September, 1892 (Gorham and 

Woolman ) . 
Thompson Falls, September, 1892 (Gorham, Bean, and Woolman). 
Lake Pend d'Oreille at Sand Point, Idaho, August 7 (Evermann and Jenkins). 
Upper Columbia Hirer: Kettle Falls, August 16 (Evermann and Jenkins), and at the mouth of Pend 

d'Oreille River, September 23, 1892 (Gorham and Beau). 
Colville River from Meyers Falls to its mouth, August 16 (Evermann and Jenkins i. 
Spokane River in the vicinity of Spokane, September, 1892 (Gorham and Bean), and August 18 

to 21 (Evermann and Jenkins). 
Little Spokane River below Dart's Mill. September, 1892 (Beau), and near Dart's Mill, August 18 

(Evermann and Jenkins). 
Coeur d'Alene River at Wardner, August 19, and Coeur d'Alene Lake at Cceur d'Alene, August 21 

(Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Hangman Creek near Spokane, September, 1892 (Bean), and at Tekoa, August 18 (Gilbert, 

Thoburn, and Rutter). 
Lower Columbia River: Pasco, Wallula, Umatilla, Dalles, Portland, and Astoria, August 11 to 27 (Rutter 

and Thoburn). 
Walla Walla River near Wallula, August 23 (Thoburn and Rutter). 
Mill Creek near Walla Walla, August 14 (Thoburn and Rutter). 
Umatilla River near Pendleton, Oregon, August 12 (Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter), and at 

Umatilla, August 11 and 23 (Thoburn and Rutter). 
Des Chutes River at its mouth, August 24 (Rutter). 

Yakima River near North Yakima and Ellensburg, August 23 and 24 (Jenkins). 
Natchess River near North Yakima, August 24 (Gilbert and Jenkins). 
Cowlitz and Toutle rivers near Castle Rock, August 28 and 29 (Gilbert and Jenkins). 
Newaukum River near Chehalis, August 28 (Gilbert and Jenkins). 
Skookumchuck River near Centralia, August 27 (Gilbert and Jenkins). 
Lake Washington at Seattle, June 25, 1892 (Evermann). 
Snoqualmie River at Suoqualmie Falls, June 26 and 27, 1892 (Evermann). 



22 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



INVESTIGATIONS WITH REFERENCE TO THE SELECTION OF A SITE FOR A 
SALMON HATCHERY IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON. 

Every stream and every point visited was considered with regard to its fitness 
rbr salmon-hatching purposes. The majority of the places are, however, not suited 
at all to such ends, and only such locations as seem to possess most or all the required 
physical and biological conditions need be treated in detail in this report. 

LOWER COLUMBIA. 

There are several reasons why a salmon hatchery would be better located on some 
tributary of the Lower Columbia rather than the Upper Columbia or the Snake. The 
supply of salmon would be more certain and the condition of the salmon better. So 
far as is known to us, salmon which enter the Columbia in the spring pass by the 
mouths of the lower tributaries and press on higher up the stream. It is probably 
these fish which arrive in the Upper Snake in the vicinity of Glen's Ferry and Salmon 
Falls iu the latter part of August and in September. All observers on the Upper 
Snake agree that they arrive at this time and spawn from September 1 on to October 
or November. The fish of the fall run enter the Columbia a short time only before 
they are ready to spawn. So far as we now know, the most of these turn directly into 
streams near the mouth of the river and spawn a short time after their entrance into 
the Columbia. 

A second point in favor of such a location for a hatchery would be, perhaps, that 
the young fish when turned into the stream would staud a better chance of reaching 
salt water than they would if they had the whole course of the river to traverse, during 
which time they are exposed to the attacks of all their fresh-water enemies. 

A third point in favor of such a location is the accessibility of various points in 
Washington along the lower course of the Columbia. 

Two streams were selected for examination, the Yakima River and the Cowlitz. 
Both of these rise in the high mountain region of southwestern Washington, and 
receive their waters largely from the snows of Mount Eanier, Mount Adams, and 
Mount St. Helen. They run through regions very different iu their physical charac 
teristics and in their climate. The Yakima lies to the east of the Cascade range and 
runs down through a dry valley covered with sagebrush and devoid of trees, except 
along the immediate vicinity of the stream itself. The summer season is very hot and 
the winter correspondingly cold. So far as the character of the stream itself is con- 
cerned, it seems admirably adapted for a hatchery. At North Yakima the stream is 
perfectly clear, flows rapidly in an open valley over gravel and sand, and had a tem- 
perature of 64° August 23. It receives an important tributary, the Natchess, 1 
mile above the town. At its mouth this stream is about 75 feet wide with an average 
depth of 2 feet, and with a current of 1J feet per second. The temperature was 57£° 
at 9:30 a. m. Were other conditions favorable, no better stream could be found for a 
hatchery than the Natchess. 

While salmon used to ascend the Yakima and its tributaries in large numbers, 
they have greatly fallen off of late years. It is now very doubtful whether a hatchery 
located at any point on this stream could depend for spawn on the fish which ascend 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River (To face page 22.) 



Plate IV. 





1 

■ 
1 


^5pp| 










fet v 








1 ^*Vftt 












B^B^mM^f 






























II 


[M| k , ^M|i\j 








Igpi 










EMU 







INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 23 

the stream itself. If it were considered desirable to ship spawn to such a hatchery, 
the Natchess might be favorably considered. 

In considering the possibility of establishing a hatchery on the Yakima or its 
tributaries, it should be borne in mind that the stream flows through a wide valley, 
only partially under cultivation. Extensive canals are now being constructed with a 
view to irrigating the entire valley. Recent litigation seems to show that more water 
has been claimed on behalf of these canals than the stream will be able to furnish. 
It seems probable, therefore, that the entire supply will be withdrawn from the river 
during the summer and fall. 

Toiitle River. — The Toutle River is a tributary of the Cowlitz. Near its mouth, 
near Castle Rock, an excellent site for a salmon hatchery can be found. This is a 
beautiful, clear, and cold stream, furnishing an abundance of water, which is never 
likely to be required for other purposes. The temperature of the water at 11 a. m. 
August 27 was 59.5°. The Toutle is a natural spawning-ground for the salmon, which 
still come into it in large numbers. They could be taken in the deeper pools in gill 
nets, and the character of the stream is such as to permit seining. The time at our 
disposal could not permit us to make a very thorough investigation of this stream and 
entirely prevented our visiting the Upper Cowlitz. From what we saw. however, we 
are inclined to recommend the Toutle River as being the best suited for hatchery 
purposes of any stream in Washington. 

THE UPPER COLUMBIA. 

Near Kettle Falls, Wash. — The Colville River flows into the Columbia at the town 
of Kettle Falls, about 2 miles below the Kettle Falls of the < 'olumbia. An abundance 
of excellent water can be obtained from the Colville River, and plenty of suitable laud 
can probably be had for nothing, as the people there are much interested in securing 
the hatchery. This site is about 2 miles from Meyers Falls, a station on the Spokane 
and Northern Railroad. The only objection to it is the uncertainty of getting a suffi- 
cient number of spawning salmon conveniently near. 

As already stated, salmon were abuudaut in the Columbia at Kettle Falls as late 
as 1878. Siuee then there has been a great decrease. They have been scarce since about 
18S2; since 1890 there have been scarcely any at Kettle Falls. The Meyers brothers 
say they have been almost unable to buy any salmon for their own table from the 
Indians for three years. Certain Indians with whom we talked at Kettle Falls said 
salmon were once very abundant there, but that very few are seen uow. Other 
persons testified to the same effect. Essentially the same information was obtaiued 
regarding the decrease of salmon in other parts of the upper tributaries of the 
Columbia, viz, at Spokane, in both the Big and Little Spokane rivers, and iu the 
Snake River and its various tributaries. 

On the Little Spokane hieer, near Spokane, Wash. — This river, as elsewhere stated 
in this report, possesses all the natural conditions necessary for this purpose; and 
it has the advantage of having excellent shipping facilities in the numerous railroads 
centering at Spokane. The uncertainty of being able to obtain spawning salmon iu 
sufficient numbers is, however, a fatal objection to this point, unless shipping the 
eggs from the Lower Columbia might be regarded as feasible. 



24 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA KIVEK BASIN. 

SNAKE RIVER IN SOUTHWESTERN IDAHO. 

If the station docs not necessarily have to be in Washington, a very good site can 
be found on Snake River in Idaho near Salmon Falls. Salmon seem still to ascend to 
that point in considerable numbers. For detailed description of this place see portion 
of this report pertaining to the Snake River. 

SUMMARY. 

In summing up the facts brought out by these investigations it may be said, 
first, that the absence of salmon from the Pend d'Oreille River is not necessarily due 
to the presence of falls in that stream, but to other causes, chief among which is the 
excessive catching of salmon in the Lower Columbia; second, that while it is true 
that the salmon are shut out by falls and dams from a large area, especially in the 
Upper Snake River basin, and that these limitations are increasing as the streams 
become useful for irrigation and mining purposes, it is nevertheless certain that the 
decrease in the salmon has been even greater and that the accessible waters suitable 
for spawning purposes are still more than ample to meet present needs; and, third, 
that the desirability of establishing another salmon hatchery at some point in the 
Columbia basin will depend largely upon the nature of the fishery legislation in the 
States of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. 

It must be understood, however, that our knowledge regarding the present abun- 
dance of salmon, their relative abundance as compared with former years, and the 
location and extent of their spawning-grounds, is of the most general kind. While 
valuable so far as it goes, the information which we now possess upon these important 
questions is chiefly useful in indicating the nature of the investigations which must 
be carried on for several seasons before a thorough understanding of the salmon ques- 
tion can be reached. 

DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS WATERS EXAMINED. 

SNAKE RIVER. 

This river has been visited by us at the following points: President Camp, near the southern 
boundary of the Yellowstone Park; Idaho Palls; American Falls; Shoshone Palls; Twin Falls; Auger 
Falls; Blue Lakes; Upper anil Lower Salmon Palls; at month of Boise River; at Caldwell, Payette, 
and Lewiston. The observations made at these various places are here given in order, beginning 
■with the point farthest upstream which was visited. 

President Camp. — Snake River here flows through a wide meadow, grassy and open on the right side, 
but covered with a heavy growth of chapparal on the other. It is here a beautiful river with clear, 
cold water and gravelly bottom. The banks in the immediate vicinity of the camp are low, not 
exceeding 3 or 4 feet. In the main stream the current was pretty strong, but there are quiet nooks 
and coves where there was considerable water vegetation. The temperature of the water at 9 a. m., 
August 11, was ti2.;"> J . Fishes were found to be abundant here, the red-horse sucker (Catostomus 
ardent), dare ( Rhinichthys cataractce du-lcis), chubs (Leucisetis hydrophlox and Leuciscns lineatits), white- 
iish (Coregontu williamsoni), cut-throat trout (Salmo my kiss), and the blob (Coitus bairdi ptinotulatus) 
being the species thus far known from the Snake River at that point.* 

Idaho Falls, Idaho, lugust 4 and .7, t89S. — At this point the river has cut its channel through the 
immense lava bed of that region. The banks of the stream are abrupt or vertical but broken and 
jagged walls of lava, reaching in some places as many as 15 to 20 feet or more above the surface of the 
water. Large, detached masses of lava are frequent in the stream, and in the banks or bounding walls 
are many immense potholes, by far the largest and finest we have ever seen. The river is here con- 
fined to a relatively narrow channel, through which it rushes in a series of foaming rapids. There 



* See Evermann: Explorations in Montana and Wyoming, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. for 1891, 22. 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River (To face page 24.) 



Plate V. 




INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVEK BASIN. 25 

are many comparatively quint nooks, however, in the broken, irregular walls, aud the water is very 
deep, perhaps 20 to 50 feet. While these rapids are quite turbulent, trout and even other species of 
fishes have no trouble in ascending thein. Trout (Salmo mykiss) are common here, and iu a large 
race which has been cut through the lava for milling purposes we obtained many specimens of dace, 
chubs, and suckers (Catostomus ardens). 

American Falls, Idaho.— At American Falls the Snake River is about 750 feet wide and Hows but 
little below the general surface of the country. The shores have no abrupt banks, the northern shore 
only being followed by a low, rounded bluff 100 to 200 feet high. This was apparently composed of 
gravel, as no lava could be seen projecting from it. The outline of the American Falls is very irreg- 
ular. Its position is determined by a basaltic ledge crossing the river. The position of the edge of 
this ledge is now marked by a series of islands, b 'tween which the river flows and below which it 
falls. This same ledge can be traced for some distance along the edge of the canon below the falls 
and is there seen to be underlaid by a layer of sandstone. At the falls, however, this seems not to be 
the case, the rock being lava from top to bottom. The western end of the falls is probably 200 to 300 
yards farther upstream than the eastern end. The front of the falls is located, therefore, very 
obliquely to the course of the stream. They show nowhere any great vertical height, 15 feet being 
probably near the maximum. In several places the falls are so broken down as to present only a 
short stretch of steep rapids, with gentler rapids above and below. Below the falls the water becomes 
immediately deep, but the rapids above are, at the stage of water seen, extremely shallow. On the 
eastern side of the stream, especially, is a long stretch of these shallow rapids, in which the water 
averages not more than 6 inches deep, and it is here that the greatest obstacles to the ascent of fish 
would be found. When water is high in the spring, trout are seen to pass over the falls in large 
numbers, and it is probably true that even at a lower stage of water, as in the fall, fish can succeed 
in passing this obstacle. A ttshway could be made here at very little expense were it considered 
desirable. 

The stream here, as elsewhere in Idaho, flows through a country covered with sagebrush and the 
usual desert vegetation, bordered more or less thickly with willows. In the rapids at American Falls 
the rocks are thickly covered with green filamentous algas, and among the rocks are found very 
numerously crawfish, caddis worms, and other suitable food for fish. At American Falls the river 
descends about 70 feet and enters a canon, the surface of the country remaining about the same level, 
aud from this point to below Shoshone Falls the stream descends deeper and deeper into its canon by 
a succession of falls and rapids. It flows here through what is known as the " Lava Beds " of the 
Snake River, aud the walls of its canon are composed of successive lava flows. But few streams find 
their way into the Snake River from the mountains of the north. As will be seen from the map, the 
greater number of these on flowing down from the mountains sink into the lava and are lost. Of this 
kind are Birch Creek, Little Lost River, and Big Lost River. There is thus a great stretch of country 
bordering the river on the north entirely without surface water. Towards the west the Malade or 
Wood River is the first stream to find its way into the Snake from the north. The water which thus 
sinks near the base of the mountains apparently reappears inside the canon of the Snake, coining out 
as great springs at the base of the cliffs. The best-known of these lie between the Shoshone Falls 
and Glen's Ferry. They emerge from the foot of the cliffs often as large streams and are used to 
irrigate the bottom lands which border the river on the north at that point. 

The water of these streams is beautifully clear and cold; trout abound in them, aud the smaller 
minnows run up from the Snake into them. Crawfish (Astacns gambelii) also are very abundant. 
The temperature of the streams averages about 60°, and they would be admirably adapted for 
hatchery purposes. The salmon visit this part of the river in sufficient numbers to furnish roe 
for hatching, and this is probably the most available point where suitable water and an abundance of 
fish can be found for such a station iu Idaho. 

Unnamed Falls. — The next falls in the course of the stream were not visited by any member of 
the party, as nothing was heard of them until we had passed that region. They seemed to be unnamed. 
According to Mr. J. L. Fuller, of Bliss, Idaho, the river has a vertical fall of about 40 feet a short 
distance above the mouth of Dry Creek, the latter a small stream coming in from the south, nearly 
midway between American and Shoshone Falls. Mr. Fuller worked a mining claim at the mouth of 
Dry Creek at one time, and is therefore well acquainted with the falls, which lie states to be vertical 
aud impassable to any kind of fish. 

Shoshone and Twin Falls. — The great obstacles to the passage of salmon up the Snake are found 
iu Shoshone and Twin Falls, both of which are vertical and of great height. The erection of fish- 



26 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

ways to permit the passage of salmon seems wholly impracticable. Both Shoshone and Twin Falls 
are formed by layers of more compact and lighter colored lava, which the stream wears away with 
great difficulty. Shoshone Falls can be reached by a stage ride of 28 miles from the town of Shoshone, 
on the line of the Union Pacific. The canon at this point is high and composed of black columnar 
basalt, which rises from the river's edge as vertical cliffs, estimated to be about MOO feet high. The 
falls are said to be 210 feet high. The middle of the falls is higher upstream than either end, giving 
it a somewhat horseshoe-shaped appearance, and the front of the falls is about 1,200 feet wide. 

Twin Falls are i miles above Shoshone Falls and would be fully as serious an obstacle as the 
latter, even if fish were able to reach their foot. An islaud div ides the stream here into two portions, 
both of which, however, fall nearly vertically a distance said to be 180 feet. On the north side of the 
stream the vertical portion of the falls is somewhat lower, the upper portion having worn back to 
form very strong rapids, through which no fish would be able to pass. We were not able to learn that 
salmon reached the foot of Shoshone Falls, although it is very probable that they do so. The stream 
Immediately below the falls is deep and flows at the bottom of a very steep canon, and even if the 
salmon were there and spawned in the bed of the stream, it might be difficult to detect them. 

Four miles below Shoshone Falls is the first of the large springs already referred to. These rise 
near the northern shore of the river in what are known as Blue Lakes (see p. 27), and one of these 
springs forms a large river. The Snake River at this point has widened out and flows over a succes- 
sion of shallows, and has a considerable expanse of bottom lands, which can be cultivated whenever 
water can be put upon them. 

Aii.yer Falls.— A gentleman living at Blue Lakes is of the opinion that salmon tlo not come above 
Auger Falls, which is found 4 miles below Blue Lakes. This was found to consist of a stretch of 
very strong rapids. At Auger Falls the river runs for a d istauce of at least 250 yards, hemmed in 
betweeu basaltic walls, which vary in distance from 50 to 250 feet. As nearly as could be estimated, 
the stream falls in this distance about 50 feet, the last 20 feet of which is nearly vertical. In this 
entire stretch of 250 yards there is no resting-place for a fish, and the water dashes through it in 
whirls and eddies in such a way as to make it doubtful whether a salmon could sustain the long- 
continued effort necessary to pass the rapids. It is, however, certain that no single stretch of these 
so-called falls is insurmountable. Both salmon and sturgeon are frequently taken below Auger Falls, 
but apparently not above them. At Auger Falls it was estimated that the current averaged 15 feet 

a si ml. Marks on the rocks show that at high water the stream was at least 15 feet above the level 

seen at this time. 

Upper and Lower Salmon Falls. — From Auger Falls down to Salmon Falls the valley of the Snake 
widens and the cliffs become broken down and more and more rouuded, as though glaciated. On 
each side of the stream are found in places extensive deposits of water- worn gravel, which are washed 
for gold. At the Upper Falls the stream flows over another lava ledge, the southern end of the fall 
being farthest down stream, and is there broken down into rapids, which present no serious obstacle 
to the ascent of the fish. This is also the case at various points along the front of the falls. The 
maximum vertical descent is about 20 to 25 feet. Salmon are known to go over these falls in large 
numbers. Indians encamp yearly on the island immediately below the falls, and spear the fish as 
they pass over the ripples. Well-known spawning-beds are said to be in the river about 2 miles above 
the falls, and salmon are known to ascend Salmon Creek, a tributary entering 2 or 3 miles higher up. 
A white man has been in the habit of catching salmon with a seine each year, and could obtain more 
than he could find market for. It seems evident, then, that a hatchery located near this point and 
drawing water from one of the many large spring-fed streams which enter here would have no diffi- 
culty in securing fish. 

The Lower Salmon Falls are about 6 miles below the Upper. We are informed that a man can 
descend this stretch of the stream in a small boat, although there are numerous shallow places and 
short rapids. The Lower Falls are very similar to the Upper. The river at this point falls over a 
lava shelf, for the most part vertically, and with a total descent of about 20 feet. The front of the 
falls is very wide, probably over a quarter of a mile, and runs obliquely, the northern end being farthest 
upstream. By far the greater part of the water falls over the southern half of the falls, so little 
coming over the northern part as to prevent the ascent of fish, except, perhaps, at one point. At the 
extreme southern end the falls are much lower. Hero, and also near the center, I lie fish would 
apparently have no difficulty in ascending. To sum up what was learned about the salmon in this 
part of Snake River, it is certain that they visit Glen's F'erry and the stretch of the stream between 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 27 

there and a point 2 or 3 miles above Upper Salmon Falls in large numbers, and spawn mainly in the 
bed of the stream, some of them entering Salmon Creek, as before said. It is not known to us how 
far they ascend towards Auger Falls from the Upper Salmon Falls They appear late in August, and 
spawn in the bed of Snake River and the smaller tributaries from September on to November. 

Snake River below the various falls. — A short distance below Shoshone Falls, as already indicated, 
the valley of the Snake changes its character. The bluff recedes, leaving the valley several miles 
wide in places, and becomes, at the same time, lesB abrupt, and the lava walls are often entirely 
concealed by slopes of water- worn gravel and soil. The valley varies in width, but preserves this 
general character as far as the town of Huntington. It is along the upper part of this widened 
valley that the extensive springs already mentioned are found. The first of these are at Blue Lakes. 
Here they rise in the bottom of a lake at the base of the basaltic cliffs which forms the canon wall. 
The outlet of this lake, after running a short distance, widens into a second very deep lake, in which 
the water again sinks into the lava. This water, together with a much larger supply, reappears at a 
lower level as a very large spring, from which flows a small river of beautifully clear blue water. 
This finds its way among the lava bowlders down a rather gentle incline to the Snake. Farther down 
the valley at intervals appear other similar springs. The streams that flow from these are used to 
irrigate the bottom lands, which are naturally covered with sagebrush and other desert vegetation. 
On the application of water they become very fertile, raising large crops of alfalfa and other hay, of 
garden vegetables, and fruit. If the supply of salmon were assured, these springs would offer model 
sites for a hatchery. They are located from 6 to 10 miles above Bliss. Idaho, and are reached by good 
roads. The most extensive of these springs empty into the lower course of the Malade or Wood River, 
which empties into the Snake a short distance from Bliss. (See p. 2li). 

The long stretch of the Snake River which lies between Huntington and Lewistou was not visited 
by any member of the party. The stream was described to us as flowing for the greater part of this 
stretch through a deep canon in which were numerous rapids. A steamer once passed through this 
canon at high water, but arrived at Lewiston so battered and broken that none has dared attempt 
the passage since. No falls occur along this stretch of the stream, and there is nothing that can be 
considered an obstruction to salmon. But this part of the country is almost uninhabited and the 
river is difficult of approach. At Lewiston and below, the stream flows again through a comparatively 
open country, the canon walls beiug rounded and the slopes covered for the most part by deposits of 
water-worn gravel and soil. Mr. W. M. Stockton, of Glen's Ferry, Idaho, who has resided there 
twenty-three years, says that the Snake River is usually highest in June, falls until the winter rains 
set in, and is lowest in October. Salmon caught in large numbers at Glen's Ferry; speared. The run 
begins in September and lasts six weeks or two months. More numerous in former years than now, 
but plenty were caught last year, 1892. Indians spear them, salt and dry them for winter use. They 
spawn on the gravel beds in the river at and near Glen's Ferry in water so shallow that the dorsal 
fins are out of the water. Knows of no obstructions in the river below Salmon Falls. Has heard that 
Salmon Falls is an obstruction ; does not know so. The sturgeon are caught at all seasons of the year ; 
more numerous in summer. Has seen and caught salmon in Payette River and has seen them spawning 
there and in the Snake River on the ripples. The Boise is highest in June and lowest in October. 
Knows nothing definite about the redfish. Says they are a landlocked salmon. They are caught in 
Payette Lake and shipped to Caldwell and sold as food-fish during September. 

TRIBUTARIES OF SKAKE RIVER. 

Boss Fork of Snake Biver. — This is a small stream flowing into the Snake above Pocatello. It was 
examined on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation about 12 miles north of Pocatello. The stream there 
was about 15 feet wide, 10 inches deep, and had a very slow current — not over 6 inches per second, but 
somewhat swifter on the riffles. The water was somewhat muddy and the bottom of the stream was 
chiefly of mud, with gravel in some places. There was an abundance of Nostov and other algoid vege- 
tation in the water, and the banks were well covered with willows and small cottonwood bushes, but 
no large bushes of any kind. Fishes, including trout, were abundant in this stream, and it was here 
that the types of a new sucker (Catostomus pocatello) were obtained. The temperature of the water at 
1 p. m., August 4, was 72.5°, when the air in the shade was 93°. 

Port Neuf Biver. — This stream has its rise in southeastern Idaho, on the low divide which now 
separates the Salt Lake Basin from that of the Upper Snake River, and flows into the Snake a few 
miles west of Pocatello. At Pocatello this stream averages about 30 feet wide, 6 inches deep, and 



28 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

Hows about 1J feet per eecoud. There are many deep holes or pools with mud bottom, while in the 
shallower reaches the bottom is of gravel and the current is more swift. The banks are usually low 
aud of clay, with occasional rocky places. The water is rather clear and cool, the temperature being 
76° at noon. August 2, when that of the air in the shade was 90°. There appeared to be very little 
algae orother water vegetation in this stream. The banks were covered with a dense growth of willows, 
while back from the stream a short distance on either side are sagebrush plains. 

A few dead bivalves (Margaritana margariUfera) were found, but molluscous life seems to be rare 
in this stream. Crawfish (Astacus gambelii) were found in considerable abundance. Not many 
species of fish were found here. By far the most abundant species is Leuciscus hydrophlox, the next 
most common are the western dace (Bhiniohfhya cataraetw dulcis) and the chub (Leuciscus lineatus). 
Suckers (Catostomus catostomus) and blobs (Cottus philonips) were also found, the latter in consider- 
able numbers. No trout were seen here, but we were informed that they are sometimes taken in the 
river near Pocatello, and that they are found rather plentifully further up the stream. The tempera- 
ture aud other characters of the water are fairly suitable for trout, and no doubt plants of such fish 
would prove successful in this river. 

Mink Creek. — This is a small stream flowing into the Port Nenf about 6 miles above Pocatello. 
Near its mouth it averages about 6 to 8 feet wide, 2 feet deep, and has a 2-foot current. The water 
at the time of our visit was pretty clear and the temperature 59° at noon, August 3, when that of 
the air in the shade was 92°. The bed of the stream was of mud aud sand in the more quiet portions 
and of gravel on the riffles. The banks were overhung by a heavy growth of willows. This is a 
typical trout stream, and we found the cut-throat trout to be quite common. About the same species 
of minnows and suckers which were found in the Port Neuf at Pocatello were also found here. 
Crawfish, toads, frogs, and mussels were also obtained here. 

The Port Neuf River at the mouth of Mink Creek is a clear, cool stream with gravel and lime- 
deposit bottom in the shallower parts and mud and sand where deeper and more quiet. The same 
species of fishes were obtained here as elsewhere in this river. 

Sainton Creek. — The uppermost tributary of Snake River to which salmon have access iB Salmon 
Creek, emptying into the river 3 or 4 miles above the Upper Salmon Falls. This was not visited by 
us, aud little seems to be known about the general character of the stream. Mr. J. L. Fuller has seen 
salmon in the lower 2 or 3 miles of the stream, but does not know how far they asceud. 

Mulade Birer. — The next stream is the Malade or Little Wood River, already mentioned. This 
was fished near Shoshone by Messrs. Thoburn aud Rutter, August 5. Width, 25 feet; depth, 3 feet ; 
current, 2 feet; temperature at 7 a. m. : air, 70° ; water, 62.5°. During dry seasons the Malade becomes 
dry for the lower 40 or 50 miles of its course aud is prevented from being a salmon stream by inaccessible 
falls near its mouth. As seen by us in its lower course, it runs on the surface of the country until a 
point about 4 miles above its mouth. Here it leaves the surface and enters a narrow cleft in the rocks 
by a succession of falls and rapids, two of which are designated the Upper aud the Lower Falls. This 
cleft in the rock soon deepens and widens into an extensive canon, which seemed to be from 500 to 
800 feet deep in its lower part. At the lower falls the stream descends vertically about 40 feet, shooting 
out of the canon, which is here a mere cleft 20 to 30 feet wide, and falling into a deep pool at the bottom. 
As Mr. Fuller stated, it looks very much like the stream out of the spout of a teakettle. During 
high water the stream rises so as to obliterate these falls, aud in the spring trout have no difficulty in 
ascending from the Snake into the Upper Malade. In autumn, however, these falls are an impassable 
obstacle to the salmon. It is below these falls that the large springs already referred to enter the 
Malade. These increase the size of the stream many times, so that even during the lowest stage ot 
water in autumn the Lower Malade flows full — this even at times when the upper stream is entirely dry. 
According to Mr. Fuller, who based his statement upou the reports of engineers, the Lower Malade at 
its lowest stage is a stream averaging 7 feet deep, 72 feet wide, having a current 15 miles an hour. It 
descends rapidly in its lower course and would offer a fine site for a hatchery. Salmon are seen as 
far as the base of the Lower Falls, i. e., 2 or 3 miles above its mouth. 

Bruneau Hirer. — The next considerable tributary is the Bruneau, which enters from the south about 
opposite the town of Mountain Home. This was not visited by any member of the party. A large 
number of men were interviewed who were acquainted with the stream; these all agreed that it was a 
natural salmon stream. Mr. Fuller has seen the salmon spawning in the headwaters of the Bruneau, 
in October. Recently a dam has been placed in the lower course of the stream for irrigation purposes. 
The dam is without fish way, and salmon are now absolutely prevented from ascending. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 29 

Owyhee River. — The Owyhee River is a large stream rising in the mountains of Nevada and flowing 
into the Snake at the boundary between Idaho and Oregon, south of Huntington, Oreg. The salmon 
are said to enter this in quantity, and are well known to the miners on the headwaters of the stream. 
This is a river of much importance, to which nearly all the streams of northern Nevada are tributary. 
BoUe River. — Examined Augusts, one mile west of Caldwell, Idaho. Width. 200 to 400 feet; depth, 
2 to 5 feet; current, 2 feet; temperature of water at 10 a. m., 66°. The bed of this stream is mostly 
sandy, with occasional patches of gravel. There is a riprap dam about 2 miles above Caldwell, 
belonging to the Howard Sebree Company. The lower slope of this dam is about 6 feet, and there is 
no fishway. 

Dr. J. B. Wright, of Caldwell, tells us that he caught salmon in the Boise, near Caldwell, in 1864, 
and that they were very numerous then. In 1863 placer mining began on the Upper Boise and but 
few salmon have been caught since. Occasionally he catches one in the upper waters of the Boise, 
but they are very rare. He further says that salmon trout enter this river in the spring, when the 
waters are high, and that he has caught them full of eggs in July in the Upper Boise. The dam 
already mentioned has been in five years, but he does not think it has affected the run of tish. Dr. 
Wright says that the salmon run up Suake River in September, the run lasting until the middle of 
October. He has uot noticed any decrease in recent years. We were also told that at Gleu's Ferry 
there is a run of salmon trout in April and May. 

Payette River. — Examined August 9, three-fourths of a mile southeast of Payette, Idaho, near its 
mouth. Average width 360 feet; depth, 3 feet; current, 1^ feet; temperature of water, 63° at 5 p. m. 
Water clear; bottom sand and gravel. The Payette at this place is a rather shallow stream flowing 
rapidly over numerous shallows and much divided by gravelly islands. It flows over sand and coarse 
waterworn gravel. The river seems to be suitable for salmon, but no one in the vicinity seemed 
able to give us any notes of value as to their occurrence. 

Salmon iii'rec— This is, except the Suake, the largest and most important and is certainly the 
least known river of Idaho. It has its headwaters in the mountains forming the divide between 
Montana and Idaho, and enters the Snake where the latter is passing through its deep canon, near the 
northeast corner of Oregon. We were informed that the lower course of the Salmon River itself is 
through a deep narrow canon, which renders it difficult of access. It is claimed that salmon still 
ascend this stream in large numbers, aud spawn in all the little creeks high in the. mountains. Little, 
however, is known with certainty regarding the salmon or other fishes of this stream. 

Clearwater Rirer. — Examined August 15 and 16 at various points from its mouth to 5 to 7-J miles 
above Lewiston, Idaho, to the mouth of Potlatch Creek. It is there a clear, cold stream flowing over 
very large round bowlders. This kind of bottom makes it almost impossible to use a net, and salmon 
could not be obtained by this method if the stream were otherwise suitable for a hatchery. The tem- 
perature of the water was 83.5° when the air was 83.5° at 4 p.m., and 63.5° when the air was 63° at 10 
a. m. As in all of these larger, clear, cold streams, we found fishes very scarce. The smaller minnows 
and suckers could be obtained only at the rate of two or three to a haul. Fish may be more abuudant 
in the deeper parts of the stream, or the numbers may be kept down by the trout, which could easily 
pursue the smaller fishes in the clear water. 

Potlatch Creek. — This is a small stream flowing into the Clearwater, near Lewiston. It was 
examined August 16 near its mouth. 

Palouse Rirer. — This is a considerable stream rising in western Idaho and flowing westward 
through southeastern Washington to the Snake River north of Walla Walla about 45 miles. It was 
examined near Colfax, Wash., August 17. At this place the stream was quite low, being reduced to 
pools. Temperature of water 74°. 

Grande Ronde Rirer. — This river rises in eastern Oregon, flows northeast, and joins Snake River 
near the forty-sixth parallel. It was examined near La Grande August 11. According to Mr. J. B. 
Foley, of La Grande, salmon are very numerous in this river in September and October, coming as far 
as the dam 1 mile above La Grande. They try to, jump this, but do not succeed. They are speared 
in large uumbers by the Indians and boys, but are so worn and cut up by their trip up the river that 
they are of little value as food fish. The dam is of logs with two 4-foot steps on the lower side, and 
has no fishway. There are no dams below— that is, between La Grande and the Snake River. Plenty 
of salmon trout come in the spring in April and May. These can get over the dam in high water. 
Water lowest iu August and September. There is placer mining in the upper parts of the river, and 
the water is milky. Trout are plentiful at Meacham, in the upper Grande Ronde River, and in the 
side streams. 



30 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



Patulm River. — This stream was examined at Starbuck August 14. Temperature at 4 p. m., 68°; 
air, iiti°. Width, 50 feet; depth, 1 foot; current, 2 feet. The Pataha is of some importance and is 
well supplied with the common fishes of the region. 

Pend d'Oreille River. — There are two important lakes which are drained by this river — Flathead 
Lake, in Montana, and Lake Pend d'Oreille, which is in Idaho, near the Washington State line. 
Examinations were made at Flathead Lake* in 1891 by Evermauu and Jenkins, and in 1892 by Gorham 
and Woolman, who found the 'falls" in Flathead River near the outlet of Flathead Lake to consist 
simply of a series of rapids, which do not interfere in the least with the free movements of fish. From 
this point down Flathead River possesses no falls or obstructions of any kind, and there is none in 
Clarke Fork until near Lake Pend d'Oreille.t 

Not far above Lake Pend d'Oreille, in Clarke Fork proper, and near a station on the Northern 
Pacific called Thompson Falls, are some small rapids which are no more serious than are those iu 
Flathead River. This is according to Dr. Gorham and Mr. Woolman. We did not deem it necessary 
to revisit these two places, as Dr. Gorham's notes and the information which we gained through 
conversations with a number of persons who were familiar with that part of the river convinced us 
that there are no obstructions of any importance above Lake Pend d'Oreille. 




We examined this river pretty carefully from the outlet of Lake Pend d'l )reille to near its mouth, 
or where it joins the Columbia just across the British Columbia line. While that portion of the river 
above Lake Pend d'Oreille is still spoken of as Clarke Fork, the portion below Lake Pend d'Oreille 
is. in that region, known only as the Pend d'Oreille River. From Sand Point, Idaho, which is at the 
outlet of Lake Pend d'Oreille, to the Washington line is about 25 miles. In this portion of the river 
there is only one fall or rapid, and that is Albany Falls, sometimes known as Villard Falls or 
Seniaquoteen Falls. These falls are about 14. miles above the little town of Newport, Idaho. The 
falls are divided by a small, rocky island, upon which is built one of the piers of the railroad bridge 
which is used by the Oreat Northern in crossing the river at this place. 

The relative position of the bridge and the falls is shown in the above diagram. 

These falls are scarcely more than pretty steep rapids and would uot interfere at all with the 
ascent of salmon. The part to the left of the islands (going down stream) is just above the bridge. 

* For Information concerning the upper waters of this system seeEvermaun. iu Bull. U. S. Fish 
Commission for 1891, pp. 1-90. 

tin 1883 Mr. Livingston Stone, under the direction of the U. S. Commissioner of Fish and Fish- 
eries, made an extended exploration of Clarke Fork and the Columbia River with reference to the 
selection of a suitable site for a salmon-breeding station. In Mr. Stone's interesting report (Report 
U. S. FishComm. for 1883, 237-255) is given much valuable information regarding the upper portion 
of Clarke Fork and the Big and Little Spokane rivers. He found, what our own inquiries confirm, 
that salmon never reach Lake Pend d'Oreille. but thought they were probably kept back by the falls 
at the mouth of the Pend d'Oreille. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 3! 

At the time of our visit (August 9) the total descent was probably 10 feet, but as a rapid, not in a ver 
ti< al fall. During low water the descent would be somewhat greater. The fall on the right side is of 
the same character and presents no greater difficulties. 

Just below Albany Falls the river is perhaps 1,000 feet wide and 20 to 30 feet deep in the channel. 
The stream was up, however, at this time, and would probably fall at least 10 feet before reaching low- 
water mark, according to the captain of the Dora, a small steamer which makes irregular trips between 
Newport and the head of Box Canon. On August 9 we took this steamer and went down the river 
to Box Canon, a distance of about 60 miles, although the steamerpeople call it 80 miles. Throughout 
this distance the Pend d'Oreille is a beautiful, clear stream, with a good strong current, and varying 
in width from 500 to 1,000 feet. 

Box Canon is a narrow gorge about H miles long. The walls are quite close together and the river 
rushes through the narrow passage with a very strong current. There is, however, no fall in the 
canon and small boats have on several occasions been taken tkrough without injury. There is nothing 
here to stop the ascent of salmon. 

Metaline Falls. — These falls are just below the Metaline mining camp, or 7 miles below the foot ot 
Box Canon. The river between Box Canon and Metaline Kails has a good strong current, but no falls 
or rapids. The falls are over a ledge of limestone, through which the river has cut, and are the largest 
and most important of any found in this river. The total fall is perhaps as much as 30 feet, but it 
is in a series of rapids, there being no vertical drop at all. The stream is here inclosed between high 
rocky walls and is very turbulent for some distance. Salmon could probably ascend these falls with- 
out much difficulty. 4. little blasting near the left (west) wall would make it still easier for fish to 
get up. Just above Metaline Falls, Sullivan Creek flows into the Pend d'Oreille from the right bank. 

From Metaline we walked down the river about 14 miles farther, on August 10, to the head of 
what is known as the Big Eddy Canon. This canon is about 3 miles long and is quite narrow, the 
limestone walls being so close together that in one place a fallen tree lies across from one wall to the 
other. The river rushes through this canon with great fury, but there are no falls, and we do not 
believe that the ascent of salmon would be seriously interfered with. If it should be shown that 
salmon can not swim against such a strong current for so great a distance, we see no easy way by 
which it could be made less difficult. There are some relatively quiet nooks or eddies here and there, 
however, in which salmon would be able to rest and we therefore do not consider Big Eddy Canon 
a serious obstacle to the ascentof fish. Lime Creek, a small but fine trout stream, flows into theriver 
at the head of this canon. 

The river between Metaline Falls and Big Eddy Canon is quite swift, but contains no falls or 
rapids worth mentioning. The lower eud of Big Eddy Canon is but a short distance from the British 
Columbia line, just north of which the Pend d'Oreille turns abruptly westward and runs approxi- 
mately parallel with the international bouudary until it flows into the Columbia, a distance of about 
27 miles from where it leaves the United States. We did not visit this part of the river for two 
reasons: (1) Dr. Gorham's notes and Mr. Bean's report upon the obstructions were sufficiently full to 
enable us to judge of its character; and (2) several persons familiar with it, and with whom we talked, 
all agreed that there are no obstructions below Big Eddy Canon which are nearly as serious as Big 
Eddy Canon or Metaline Falls. All agree that Metaline Falls is the most serious obstruction found 
anywhere in the Pend d'Oreille. 

From Mr. Bean's report and from our conversations with prospectors and others living along the 
Pend d'Oreille, it appears that there is a series of rapids near the mouth of the river and another just 
above the mouth of Salmon River, which empties into the Pend d'Oreille just above the Washington 
line. These are all said to be rapids rather than falls and probably would not interfere with the 
ascent of salmon in the least. From the foregoing it therefore appears that there are no serious 
obstructions in Clarke Fork of the Columbia which would prevent salmon from reaching Lake Pend 
d'Oreille and Flathead Lake, or other parts of that river basin. 

The Pend d'Oreille River is one of the most beautiful and picturesque in America. It is a magnifi 
cent river, probably averaging over 1,000 feet in width and being very deep throughout most of its 
course. In most places there is a good, strong current, becoming dangerous rapids in the narrower 
places. The water is clear and pure and cold — an ideal trout stream. The depth varies greatly, high 
water occurring in July from melting snows. Late in August or September the water is many feet 
lower than in July. High mountain slopes ascend abruptly from the river's banks throughout most 
of its course, and these are covered with a heavy evergreen forest and a dense growth of underbrush. 



32 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



In other places, as at Usk, La Claires, and Metaline, the river bottom widens out and there are many 
acres of excellent farming land. During high water large areas of this level land are covered by 
water, but when the waters subside these tracts become valuable meadow lands. 

Trout are abundant in this river; salmon trout are also quite abundant, and both bite readily. 
We know of no stream which otters finer opportunities for sport with the rod than the lower l'end 
d'Oreille. Deer, wild geese, and ducks were also seen in considerable numbers. From the Big Canon 
below Metaline we were compelled to walk back to Newport, a distauc e of about 75 miles. As there 
was no trail for the greater part of this distance, except a cattle trail, which was used by cattle only 
later in the summer and which was now under water, we found the trip a very difficult one, attended 
by many hardships. We reached Newport early in the morning of August 15, where we took the 
train for Colville, Washington. 

THE UPPER COLUMBIA RIVER. 

The Upper Columbia River was visited only at Kettle Falls, Washington, but several of its tribu- 
taries were examined, notes upon which are given in the following pages. 

Kettle Falls, about 9 miles from Colville, Washington, are the only falls in the Upper Columbia 
that need mentioning in this connection. At this place the river cuts through a ledge of highly 
crystalline rock, the strata of which have a gentle dip upstream. A large island divides the river 
into two parts, as shown in the following diagram: 




At the present stage of water we judged these falls to have a vertical fall of 12 to 15 feet each, but 
they are not of equal height throughout their entire width. The upper falls (a) was at least It feet 
vertical near the island and in the middle, but toward the right bank it seemed to be lower and less 
vertical. The lower fall (?<) is probably 15 feet high in its highest places, but at the right shore it, 
too, is not so high nor so nearly vertical. At < is ,-i seething whirlpool, the water coming around the 
left side of the island, having to make an abrupt turn in order to get out. The upper fall is probably 
not of great importance in this connection, for, when salmon have once gotten above the lower falls 
tiny can go around to the right (going upstream) of the island where there are no serious obstruc- 
tions, but they are seen to swim up over the upper falls. George E. and Jacob A. Meyers are two 
intelligent and well-informed men who have lived at Kettle Falls for 23 years, and are quite familiar 
with the falls and their relation to the salmon. From them we obtained the following information : 
Up to 1878 salmon were very abundant in this part of the Columbia; " millions were seen ascending 
the falls every season." The run would begin in June and continue until October, the biggest run 
being in the last half of August. The run toward the end of June was also large, but while there was 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To face page 32 ) 



Plate VI. 



o 

o 




INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 33 

a decrease in the number from then until late in the summer, some salmon were to be seen ill along; 
so that there were not two distind runs. bu1 chic continuous run from June I" November with two 
periods of great numbers— June and iugust. 

The salmon caught early in the season are regarded as the best. The salmon have no trouble 

getting up Kettle Falls; indeed, thej n-.ii.il I ;, swim right up the current, seld having to jump out 

of the water. The time when it is hardest for them to get up is during a mi e of water; it 

is easy at high water, asthe fall is then wiped out to some extent; it is also easy a1 low water, as 
there are eddies and pools then in which tit rest. 

Salmon formerly spawned in great numbers just below Kettle Falls. The spawning beds were 

toward the right side of the river on grave] botl usually just above a riffle. A great many spawned 

in the Colville River just below Meyers Falls. 

The Colville flows into the Columbia from the east just below Kettle Falls a Bhorl distance. 
Meyers Falls is in the Colville 2 or :i miles above its mouth. The height of the lower Meyers Falls is 
80 feet, that of the upper about 26 ; the total descent, including rapids, being abont 125 feet. The 

width of the falls is about 150 feet. Sal a still enter Col villi- River and spawn on the gravel beds 

below .Meyers Falls, but they ate very rare. ,\ fishway could be placed here which would enable 
salmon to ascend the Colville. which is. so far as the other features are concerned, an excellent stream 
for salmon and trout. 

The temperature of the water at the falls, August 16, was 62°. 

While we think the evidence shows that salmon are able to ascend the Lower Kettle Falls, the 
e\ idence that they have ever gone much, if any, farther, is not conclusive. Indeed, one of the earliest 
accounts of these falls which wr have seen, states positively that no salmon are taken above these 
falls. In volume iv of the Narrative of the United states Exploring Expedition under Captain Wilkes 
we find the following: 

■•The Kettle Falls are one of the greatest curiosities in this part of the country. They are formed 
ny a tabular bed of quartz that crosses the river, and w nich, being harder than the rocks, either above 
or below, has of course suffered less by abrasion, and tlms formed a basin that renders the name appro- 
priate. The total descent of the water is 50 feet, though the perpendicular fall iir no place exceeds 15 
feet, which is. however, more than sufficient to prevenl the passage of boats. At the foot of the falls 
the breadth of the river is 2,330 feet, and the rate of the current is 1 miles an hour. This breadth ia 
somewhat narrowed by an island, about midway of which is the first fall, which is almost entirely 
unbroken. Thence the river forces its way over a rocky bed until it reaches the main fall, where the 
water is thrown into every variety of shape and form, resembling the boiling of a Kit tie. from which 
the falls derive their name. 

"There is an Indian village on the batiks of the great, falls, inhabited by a few families, who are 
called "Quiarlpi" (Basket People), from the circumstance of their using baskets to catch their fish 
(salmon). The season for the salmon fishery had not yet [iu June t] arrived, so that our gentlemen 
did not see the manner of taking the fish; hut as described to them, the fishing apparatus consists of 
a largo wicker basket supported by long poles inserted into it and fixed in the rocks. The lower part, 
which is of the basket form, is joined to a broad frame, spreading above, against which the fish, in 
attempting to jump the falls, strike, and are thrown back into the basket. This basket, during the 
fishing season, is raised three times in the day (twenty-four hours), and at each haul, not unfrequently, 
contains 300 fine fish. A division of these takes place at sunset each day, under the direction of one 
of the chief men of the village, and to each family is allotted the number it may In- entitled to; not 
only the resident Indians, but all who may be there fishing, or by accident, are equally included in 
tin- distribution. 

•• At the lower end of the falls are large masses of quartz rock, on which the Indians dry their fish, 
few of the salmon, even if able to pass flic lower fall, ever get by the upper one, being generally 
caught between the two falls ; consequently . above this place no salmon are taken. A short distance 
below the Kettle Falls are the Thompson Rapids, which begin at the mouth of Mill River, and extend 
for some distance below that point." 

This visit to Kettle Falls anil eastern Washington was made by Captain Wilkes in 1841.* 

Spokane Biver. — The Spokane River has its source in Cceur d'Aleue Lake, in Kootenai County, 
Idaho. From the northern end of the lake the river flows approximately due west about 30 miles to 

•Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition, during tin I, 1839, 1840, isli. rnd 

1842 ; by Charles Wilkes, U. S. Navy, commander of the expedition. In five volumes. Vol. IV, pp. 
444 and 445. Philadelphia, Lea & Blanchard, 1845. 

S. Mis. 200 3 



34 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

the city of Spokane, where it turns to the northwest and flows into the Columbia, about 45 or 50 miles 
distant. The total length of the Spokane River probably exceeds 125 miles, as its course is extremely 
winding. For a considerable part of its course it flows through vast fields of lava, into which it has 
cut a deep and picturesque channel. The stream is large and in most places quite deep; the bed in 
many places is strewn with large granite bowlders or large irregular masses of lava, which render 
seining next to impossible. 

About 6 miles below Coeur d'Alene Lake are Post Falls, which probably do not interfere with the 
free movement of fish. 

In the city of Spokane, where the river breaks through a lava flow, there are several very 
beautiful falls aud rapids, which have been modified in various ways in utilizing the water power for 
milling purposes. These obstructions, natural and artificial, are impassable to fish. Salmon find no 
obstructions in the Lower Spokane and ascend as far as these falls. Formerly salmon were said to be 
abundant as far up as the falls,* but now they are seldom seen farther up than the mouth of the Little 
Spokane. This stream was examined in and near the city of Spokane by Mr. B. A. Beau in October, 
1892, and by Profs. Evermann and Jenkins August 19 and 20, 1893. 

The water is clear, cold, and pure. The only contamination is that from the city of Spokane, and 
that does not seem to be at all serious as yet. An abundance of fish food, such as insects and their 
larviB, small mollusks. and crawfish, was noticed in this river. 

Cwur d'Alene Lake. — This is one of the largest and most picturesque lakes in Idaho. It is very irreg- 
ular in shape, occupying, as it does, a narrow mountain valley together with its lateral ramifications. 
Its greatest length from north to south is probably not less than 22 miles, while its average width is 
less than 3 miles. The Coeur d'Alene, St. Joseph, and other mountain streams are tributary to this 
lake, the outlet of which is Spokane River. Trout are abundant aud of excellent quality in the lake, 
but salmon are not known to occur in it. The numerous falls in the Spokane River in the city of 
Spokane undoubtedly prevent the ascent of salmon to Cceur d'Alene Lake.t This lake was fished 
August 21 near the outlet, 1J miles west of Cceur d'Alene. Temperature of water at 4 p. m., 75°; air, 86°. 

Hangman Creek. — This is an unimportant stream, tributary to the Spokaue. It was examined in 
the vicinity of Tekoa, Wash., where it was found to be a small, rather filthy stream, not suitable for 
trout or other food-fishes, but well supplied with minnows and suckers of several species. 

* Regarding the salmon fishing at these falls in 1841, C'apt. Wilkes has the following: 

"The number of Indians actually resident about the falls is 150; but during the height of the 
fishing season there are often nearly 1,000, consisting of all the Spokane tribe, who are generally 
included under the name of the Flatheads. They subsist for the most part on roots, fish, berries, and 
game. At the opening of the spring, in March aud April, or as soon as the snow disappears, they begin 
to search for a root resembling the cammass, which they call pox-pox. This lasts them till the 
beginning of May, when it gives place to a bitter root, termed spatylou. This is a slender and white 
mot, not unlike vermicelli in appearance, and when boiled it dissolves into a white jelly, like arrow- 
root. It has a bitter but not disagreeable flavor, and is remarkable for growing in gravelly soils 
where nothing else will thrive. In June the it/.wa, or cammass, comes in season, aud is found in greater 
quantities than the others all over the country, particularly in the meadow grounds. This root was 
thought by many of us to have the taste of boiled chestnuts. Before this fails the salmon make their 
appearance, and during the summer months the Indians enjoy a very plentiful supply of food. While 
the men are employed fishing, the women are busy digging the cammass, which may be termed the 
principal occupation of the two sexes. They devote a portion of their time to the collection of berries, 
a work which is principally the duty of the younger part of the tribes. 

"In September and October the salmon still claim their attention, although they are, after having 
deposited their roes, quite exhausted and about to perish, yet these are dried for their winter consump- 
tion, and unless they had recourse to these much want would ensue, which is always the case if the 
salmon should be scarce." 

t The Indian legend given in Wilkes' Narrative, vol. iv, p. 449, is interesting, in that it shows that 
the falls at Spokane have always been regarded by the Indians as a barrier to the ascent of salmon to 
Cceur d'Alene Lake. 

"They have, in common with the other tribes, many traditions connected with the rivers and 
remarkable features of their country. In these the prairie wolf bears always a conspicuous part. This 
wolf was not an object of worship, but was supposed to be endowed with supernatural powers, and 
to exert them in many ways. On one occasion it is related that the wolf was desirous of having a 
wife, and visited the tribes on the Spokane for that purpose, demanding a young woman in marriage. 
This request being granted, he promised that the salmon should be abundant, and for this purpose he 
raised the rapids, that they might bo caught with facility. After he had been gratified in this first 
instance he made the same request of the others, among them of the Sketsui (Cobui d'Alene) tribe, 
who were the only ones to refuse. He thereupon formed the great falls of the Spokane, which have 
ever since prevented the fish from ascending to their territory." 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia Rivei. (To (ace page 3-i ) 



Plate VII. 




CANON OF SPOKANE RIVER, THREE MILES BELOW SPOKANE, WASHINGTON 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 35 

Little Spokane River. — This was visited by Mr. Barton A. Bean in 1892, ami by ns August 18, 
1893. The Little Spokane rises among the low hills in a system of small streams and lakes in Stevens 
County, Wash., only 4 or 5 miles from the Peud d'Oreille River. Fed, as it is, by numerous springs, 
its water is very clear and cold. It flows through a narrow, fertile valley, the low meadows 
bordering it having a black loamy soil. The immediate banks are for the most part covered with a 
network of brushes. High hills rise on either side of the valley and they are sparsely covered with 
pines. Such trees as Cottonwood, maples, and alders are common along the banks. 

At Dart's mill, where the Little Spokane was examined by us, it averages about 40 feet wide, 20 
inches deep (on the ripples), and had a current of 2i feet per second. The temperature at 2 p.m., 
August 18, was 63° . The bottom there was of coarse gravel in most places. Just above the dam the 
water was, of course, deeper and the bottom is of sand and soft mini Here we found such water 
vegetation as Ranunculus aqiiutihis trichophyllus, and Myriophyllum in abundance. A single species of 
Unionida?, Margaritana margaritifera was not uncommon at this place. Fishes were also rather abun- 
dant, some 8 or 10 species being obtained. The Little Spokane is an excellent salmon and trout stream, 
as is fully evidenced by the great abundance of salmonoid fishes which we found. The cut-throat 
trout was abundant, as were also young whitetish. Large whitefish (Coregonus williamsoni) were seen 
at th$ dam at the mill, where Indians were spearing them with fair success. Salmon are said to enter 
the Little Spokane in considerable numbers even yet, but much less abundantly than formerly. The 
dam at Darts mill interferes with their farther ascent and a fishway should be put in. Salmon were 
quite abundant in this stream in 1882, as reported by Mr. Lane C. Gilliam, of Spokane, to Mr. Livingston 
Stone.* 

Mr. Gilliam says: 

"I have just completed my second trip to the Little Spokane, and as yet no salmon to speak of 
are running. The Indians, who are encamped here in great numbers, anticipating a large run, are 
uneasy and fear the fish are not coming. Yesterday morning they caught eight, which was the largest 
number taken at any one time as yet. A white man living in the neighborhood told me that last year 
he made a rough estimate of the salmon, taken by the Indians. He thinks they had between 40,000 
and 50,000 drying at one time, about October 1. I will make another investigation about October 1." 

In the same letter reporting this information to Prof. Baird, Mr. Stone says: 

"The result of my researches on the Snake River are that no salmon ascend as high as the crossing 
of the Utah and Northern Railroad, and that there are no salmon as high as the foot of the American 
Falls on the Oregon Short Line. The salmon probably cannot get over Shoshone Falls. In the spawn- 
ing season there are a great many salmon at the foot of these falls, 27 miles from the Oregon Short 
Line Railroad." 

It should be added that the character of this stream is being materially changed by the advent of 
civilization, a fact which is, or has been, true of most streams of this country. The cutting away of 
the timber and brush on the immediate banks and the cultivation of the laud within the drainage area 
of the stream have greatly increased the surface erosion and, in consequence, the impurities of the 
stream. 

LOWER COLUMBIA RIYEK. 

Very little work was done by us on the Lower Columbia. Some fishing was done August 22 at 
Pasco, near the railroad bridge 1 mile east of town, where we made twelve hauls on sand and gravel 
bars on both sides of the river in water from 1 to 5 feet deep. Took very few fish. Water very clear 
and cold. Rocks nearly free from algae. Mr. John E. Gantenheim, an educated and intelligent fish- 
erman of Pasco, says that he fishes every year at the mouth of the Snake and Yakima rivers. The 
salmon bite readily at a spoon and are in good condition for eating. They are caught by trolling only, 
and bite greedily, even when full of eggs. Their stomachs are always empty. They spawn on the rip- 
ples near the mouths of the Snake and the Yakima rivers. Mr. Gantenheim caught his first salmon 
for this season on August 20. It was the first he knew of as being caught this year. It was a silver- 
side (O. kisittehl), and he took it from the Columbia River near the mouth of the Yakima. We 
saw three salmon while at the river. Mr. Gantenheim says that the salmon begin their run about the 
20th of August, are at their best during September, and last until the high water in October. The 
last ones are spent and not good eating. He calls the ones he catches silversides and chinooks. Does 
not know of other forms. Though many fish are caught, none are shipped to the canneries because of 
railroad charges. It is probable that some of the salmon which are caught by trolling are steelheads. 

•Bull. U. S. Fish Com. for 1883. 



36 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

JTiiUn U'ullii River. — This is a river of some importance flowing into the Columbia at the town of 
Wallula, about 30 miles west ef Walla Walla. It was examined August 23, at Wallula. below the 
railroad bridge. It is here a good-sized stream, 3 to 8 feet deep in the channel, ami has a velocity of 

about i-half foot per second. Temperature at noon, 70- ; air. 80' . The bed ol the stream was oi 

suft mml. with an abundance of Chant and other vegetation in places, and the water was rather 
muddy. At this place Messrs. Thoburn and Rutter obtained the only specimens <d' Columbia trans- 
montana that wen- secured by any of us. 

J/;// Ore/,'. — This is a small stream, tributary to the Walla Walla River near Walla Walla. It 
was examined August 14 south of Walla Walla one -half mile. Width, 12 feet : depth, 10 inches; onr- 
r.ii t . I ', feet. Temperature at 8:30 a, m., 56°; air, 73°. The bottom here is of coarse gravel. We 
could not learn that salmon are ever taken iu this stream. 

Umatilla River. — The Umatilla Rivet was examined August 23 near its mouth, and on August 12 
near Pendleton, < Ireg. At Pendleton it had an average width of 25 feet, depth of 14 inches, and a 
velocity of 1 toot. Temperature at 11 a. in.. 70 . The bottom was of coarse gravel covered with alga;, 
and the water was clear. Mr. Smith, of the Commercial Stables at Pendleton, says that no salmon come 
as far up the river as Pendleton. He Las never known any salmon to occur there. They probablj 
occur in the lower part of the stream, but we could get no reliable information upon the matter. 

/lis i 'hutes River. — This is a southern tributary of the Columbia, into which it flows at a distance 
of 10 or 15 miles above The Dalles. It was visited August 24. The falls of Des Chutes River, located 
near its mouth, are about 30 feel high in low water; iu high water a series of rapids. In the lies 
Chutes the difference between high and low water marks varies from 40 to 90 feet, according to the 
width of the river. The highest water is about June 20. the lowest during the coldest part of the 
winter. Salmon usually find the falls no obstruction. Numerous salmon are said to run up the John 
Day River. Thej are caught in large numbers by the Indians, but we find no autheutic information 
concerning their spawning. 

Yakima Hirer. — The Yakima is a good-sized stream, rising in numerous lakes near Snoqualmie 
Pass, southeast of Seattle about 50 miles, ami flowing southeast about 150 miles to Pasco, where it 
joins the Columbia. At Ellensburg and North Yakima, where this river was visited by Or. Jenkins, 
it runs through a broad, fertile valley, and its waters are extensively used for irrigation purposes. 
At Ellensburg the stream is about 160 feet wide aud 10 feet deep, and flows about 1 toot per second. 
The water is clear and cold; its temperature at a. in.. August 24. was 00 . At North Yakima the 
stream is very clear and flows with a rapid current through an open valley, over gravel and sand, and 
had a temperature of 01 . The Yakima has many important tributaries, in all of which trout are said 
to abound. 

Wilson Creek near Ellensburg had an average width of about 18 feet, depth of 18 inches, and a 
current of 2 feel per second. 

Manistash Creek empties in on the right bank of the Yakima near Ellensburg. For a few miles 
above iis mouth nearly all the water is taken oul for irrigation purposes. Six miles from Ellensburg 
ii comes through a canon into the valley At this point it is a fine stream, abounding in trout. It is 
here 25 feet wide, with a velocity of about 3 feet per second. The water is clear and excellent. 
The temperature at 11 a. m. was 55°. Below this point, about 2 miles from its mouth, where mosi oi 
the water is taken out lor irrigation, the stream was about feet wide, with an average depth of 
inches and a velocity of one-half foot per second. Temperature, 58 at 0:45 a. in. 

The Yakima was visited also at Prossen, at which point there is a low fall of some 3 or 4 Oct. 
with a long gentle ripple above it. The fall would form no obstacle to the ascent of salmon unless at 

i lofverj low water. The temperature was 70° at 10 a.m. At North Yakima the Yakima receives 

one of its principal affluents from the west. This is the Natchess River, which takes its rise among 
the suowfields of Mount Ranier and Cowlitz Pass. This is a clear, cold stream, admirably suited to 
trout. In its lower course such common species as the chisel-mouth {Acroclteilu» dlutaceus), Agosia 
.mini, i. and fantosteus jardani were found. Those acquainted with the facts state that formerly, up 
to about lss5. salmon of three or four kinds, including the quinnat, ran up the Yakima River to this 
valley aud spawned in the river m great numbers. At present very few make their appearance. 

' mi lil: Hirer. — The Cowlitz River, made famous in Dr. Jordan's delightfully interesting "Story 
of a Salmon," lias its sources in the suowfields on the west slopes of Mount Ranier, and flows through 
the densely wooded country west of the Cascades for more than 100 miles before it joins the Columbia, 
This region is very moist and is little suited to agriculture, and the stream will never be needed for 
irrigation. The Cowlitz was visited by us at Castle Rock. It is there a very deep, sluggish stream. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 37 

extensively used foi rafting lumber. It had a temperature of about 60 . August 25. Salmon ascend 
the stream in large numbers to and above Castle Rock. They make their appearance in the fall about 
the iii st of September, and are caught by the ton at Castle Rock and at numerous points below. We 
were informed that two kinds of salmon are taken, quinnat and the silver salmon. The quinnat makes 
its appearance first, and is, according to reports, obtained in great numbers. We do notknowhow 
safely one may rely upon the reports of the fishermen, however. 

Toutle Hirer. — Toutle River is a fine, clear stream entering the Cowlitz from the east, about I 
miles above Castle Rock. It was visited by us 2 miles above its mouth. At that point it was 
about 100 feet wide, averaging perhaps 1 to \{ feet deep, and was flowing rapidly over rounded 
bowlders and stones of small size. Its current was perhaps 1 or 2 feel per second. At 11 a. in. the 
temperature was .">!■).; -. The stream Hows through a very sparsely inhabited country. A few miners 
and a larger number of lumbermen live on its upper course. It Hows everywhere through a dense fir 
forest, in which are some deciduous trees. All agree that the salmon ascend this stream yearly in 
large numbers. 

In addition to the investigations which were made in the Columbia River basin, some little work 
was done on streams tributary to Puget Sound, or which How directlj into the Pacific. Urs. Gilbert 
and Jenkins examined Newaukum and Skookumchuck rivers, and in .lime. 1892, Prof. Evermann spent 
parts of two days examining Lake Washington at Seattle, and the Snoqualmie River in the vicinity 
of Snoqualmie Falls. 

NEWAUKUM RIVER. 

This stream is a small tributary of Chehalis River, into which it Hows near the tow n ot I 'heh a lis. 
It was visited near its mouth August 27. 

SKOOKUMCHUCK RIVER. 

This river rises on the divide near the head v. a lets of the Newaukum, and. flowing to the north 
west, empties into an arm of Puget Sound near old Fort Steilacoom. 

The Newaukum and the Skookumchuck are both interesting as having furnished us many 
specimens of young dog salmon. They were, found in both of these streams in abundance and were 
evhleuth the young of the preceding year. 

LAKE WASHINGTON. 

This lake is a magnificent body of' fresh water, extending for more than 20 miles north and 
south, just east of Seattle. Some collecting was done here on dune 25, 1892. Nothing was found, 
however, except two or three species of Cyprinida and a number of blobs. 

s.NOQUALMIE EIVEK. 

This riverrises near Yakima and Snoqualmie passes and, flowing westward, joins the Snohomish, 
which in turn flows into the Sound. The Snoqualmie was visited June 20 and 27. 1892, and a small 
collection of fishes obtained. At the falls this river was 150 to 200 feet wide and about feet deep, 
entirely too deep for seining, only occasional shallow places being found where the seine could be 
drawn. At Snoqualmie Falls the river descends 208 feet in a single plunge. Trout, however, are 
abundant both above and below the falls. The only other species obtained were a few minnows aud 
suckers. We were unable to secure anj reliable information as to the occurrence of salmon in Sno- 
qualmie River or in Lake Washington. 



38 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

NOTES ON THE FISHES OF THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN, WITH DESCRIPTIONS 

OF FOUR NEW SPECIES. 

In the following' notes on the fishes of the Columbia River basin we have included 
not only those collected by us, but also the small collections made by Messrs. Bean 
and Woolman in lS'.lL', and the few species obtained in Newaukum and Skookum- 
chuck rivers by Drs. Gilbert and Jenkins, and in Lake Washington and Snoqualmie 
River in 1892. 

The exact status of several of the species of Salmonidce, as well as some of the 
minnows and suckers and all the Gottidw of this region, is a matter which will require 
much additional investigation to determine. Most of the forms which have been 
regarded as good species are but poorly differentiated. The range of variation seems 
to be very great, and characters which are of undoubted specific value when applied 
to Atlantic-drainage species, do not possess any such value for classification of Pacific 
coast fishes. Bach so-called species seems to be in a very unstable state of equilib 
rium, and not to have yet assumed or been able to retain with auy degree of permanence 
any set of specific characters. This is particularly true of the species of Agosia, Gatos- 
tomus, Salmo, and, possibly, Oncorhynclms. 

In sequence of species in this paper we follow Jordan's Catalogue of Fishes of 
North America, 1885. 

1. Entosphenus tridentatus (Gairdner). Three-toothed Lamprey. 

Petromyzon trident atvs Gairdner MS., Richardson, Fauna Boreali- Americana, 293, 1836. Type 
locality: Falls of Walaniet (Willamette) River. 

Petromyzon tiridus Girard, P. R. R. Survey, 379, 1858. Type locality: Wahlahmath (Willamette) 
River, Oregon. 

Petromyzon astori Girard, loc. cit., 380. Type locality: Astoria, Oregon. 

This lamprey was first seen by us at Lower Salmon Falls, on Snake River, on August 8. 
Over 40 specimens were here found dead on a sand bar below the falls. They had probably 
died the night before, and had been deposited on the spit, where buzzards were busily feasting 
on them when we arrived. We were informed that the lampreys in their upward migration 
reach this point in the river sometime during July, after the water has begun to go down. 
They are said to make good sturgeon bait, and can be best caught in the evening or in the 
early morning, when they are found clinging to the rocks at the falls. On August 11, a large 
number of decayed specimens was found on the banks of the Umatilla River at its mouth. 
Tiny were high up on the banks, and had apparently died and drifted ashore several weeks 
before, at a time when the river was higher. They ascend the Umatilla, and are caught by the 
Indians for food. One dead specimen wasseenat Pendleton. Anumberof larva?, H to 2 inches 
long, were taken from debris in the bottom of a pool in the Natchess River at North Yakima. 

The lampreys are well known to the owners of salmon-wheels on the Lower Snake and the 
Columbia, and are universally called eels. At Lewiston, we learned that the lampreys 
begin their run very early, being already in the stream when the salmon-wheel is first put in 
place in the spring. They are occasionally caught by these wheels in such numbers as to nil 
the boat, and are said to be valuable for the oil they contain. This lamprey was seen also by 
Dr. Eigenmann, at La Grande and Caldwell, in 1892. 

2. Acipenser transmontanus Richardson. Columbia Hirer Sturgeon. 

Acipenser transmontanus Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana, in, 278, 1836. Type locality: 
Columbia River at Fort Vancouver. 

The sturgeon ascends the Snake River to above the Upper Salmon Falls, between which 
and Auger Falls it is frequently taken. We were unable to learn that they passed the 
Auger Falls, which apparently serve as a barrier to both sturgeon and salmon. We are 
informed by numerous fishermen that the sturgeon are in the river throughout the year, and 
can be taken at any season. They are found at Glen's Ferry throughout the year, aud we 
were told of individuals taken there weighing as much as 600 to 800 pounds. No definite 
information as to their spawning season could be secured. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 39 

3. Pantosteus jordani Evermaim. 

Pantosteus jordani Evermauii, Bull. U. S. Fish. Coinui. for 1892, .January 27, 1893, 51. Type locality: 
Red Rock River, Red Rock. Montana. 

Pantosteus eolumbianus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, American Naturalist, February 4, 1893, 151. 
Type locality : Boise River, Caldwell, Idaho. 

Recent explorations of the Fish Commission have shown this sucker to be an abundant 
species in the region about the Black Hills in South Dakota and Wyoming. Dr. Eigenmann 
was the first to obtain it in the Columbia Basin, he having found it at Caldwell, Idaho, in 
1892. During our investigations we found this to be an abundant and widely distributed 
species in the Columbia Basin. Specimens were obtained by us at the following places: 
Snake River at Idaho Falls, 1; Ross Fork near Pocatello, 49; Boise River at Caldwell, 4; 
Payette River at Payette, 13; Umatilla River at Pendleton, 3; Columbia River at Umatilla, 
1; Natchess River near North Yakima, 9. A comparison of these specimens with a large 
series from various places in the Missouri River Basin shows them to be specifically identical. 
Young examples from Payette, Caldwell, and elsewhere, agree perfectly with Dr. Eigenmann's 
description of P. eolumbianus. The dorsal rays vary from 10 to 13; the scales from 82 to 107. 

4. Catostomus catostornus (Forster). 

Cyprin us catostomus Forster, Philos. Trans., 1773, 155. Type locality : Streams about Hudson Bay. 

Specimens from Little Wood River, Shoshone, Idaho, 25; Ross Fork near Pocatello, Idaho, 
10; Payette River, Payette, Idaho, 2; Coeur d'Alene Lake, Cceur d'Alene, Idaho, 7; Umatilla 
River, Pendleton, Oreg., 4; Columbia River, Umatilla, Oreg., 1; Pataha River, Starbuck, 
Wash., 3; Mill Creek, Walla Walla, 81; Creek at Sand Point, Idaho, 38. 

D. 11 or 12 ; scales, 90 to 104. 

This species differs from latipinnis, griscus, and catostomus (Evermann; Eigenmann) in its 
thin and rather narrow lower lip, which is incised for but little over half its depth. Two well- 
separated series of large papilla? cross the lip between base of incisiou and sheath. 

5. Catostomus pocatello sp. nov. Moo-gad-ee of the Fort Hall Indians. (PI. ix.) 

Type locality: Ross Fork of Snake River near Pocatello, Idaho, where 18 specimens were 
collected August 4, 1893. Type, No. 45385, U. S. Nat. Mus. Co-types, No. 45386, U. s. Nat. 
Mus., and Nos. 1135 to 1141, Museum Leland Stanford Junior University. 

Related to Catostomus catostomus (Forster). 

Description: Head, 4; depth, 5; eye, 4i; snout, 2|; interorbital width, 2|; D. 10; A. 7: 
scales, 19-95-11, about 50 before the dorsal. Body moderately stout; head heavy; snout not 
very pointed; eye rather large — larger than in any related species, its diameter 2i in snout 
or 2J in interorbital width; eye placed high; middle of pupil a little nearer posterior edge o 
opercle than to tip of snout. Mouth narrow; upper lip rather thick, but not pendent, with 
three definite rows of papilla? ; lower lip incised nearly to base, a single series of small papilla? 
between sheath and base of incision; lobes of lower lip short and rounded; cartilaginous 
sheath of lips rather strongly developed. Scales small, crowded, and very much reduced in 
size on anterior part of body ; lateral line imperfect. Origin of dorsal fin midway between 
tip of snout and base of caudal rays ; greatest height of dorsal fin li in head, its free edge 
very slightly concave. Height of anal a little greater than that of dorsal, lj in head; pointed 
reaching base of caudal fin. Pectoral about equal to anal ; ventral If in head. Peritoneum 
silvery, with dark punctulations. Air-bladder large. 

Color in alcohol, dark olivaceous above, and on sides to below lateral line somewhat 
mottled with darker; under parts pale. Length, 150 millimeters. 

An examination of the series of eighteen specimens shows some variation. Head, 34 to 4; 
depth, 5 to 5J ; eye, 4^ to 5— tin young; snout, 2£ to 2j-2^ in young. The number of dorsal rays 
is usually 10, but in one example there are but 9. There is considerable variation in number 
of scales in the lateral line, the number in eleven examples counted being 90, 93, 93, 95, 96, 96, 
100, 101, 105, 106, 107, and 108, respectively; the lateral line is frequently irregular and imper- 
fectly developed. 

From Catostomus catostomus, which this species resembles, it differs in its larger eye, fuller 
lower lip, and somewhat larger head. These characters may all prove unreliable, however. 
From C. griseus and C. latipinnis of the same size it differs in its narrower upper lip and larger 
eye, as well as in other minor characters. 



40 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



This species was found only in Ross Pork just, above the Fort Hal] Indian Agency. It 
does not seem to be very common, as a daj s collecting in this stream resulted in taking 
onlj 18 specimens of the species. It. apparently does not attain a length of more than 6 to 
8 inches. The Indian name )[oo-gad-ee means sucker, or that which sucks. 

6. Catostomus macrocheilus Girard. 

Catostomus macrocheilus Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1856, 175. Type locality: Astoria. 
Oregon. 

Specimens obtained from Payette River at Payette, 5; Boise River at Caldwell, 17; 
Clearwater Creek at Lewiston, 2; Hangman Creek at Tekoa, 6; Hangman Creek at Spo- 
kane, 1; Pataha River at starbuck, 7: Walla Walla River at Wallula. 5; Colville River near 
( !oh ille. Id; Umatilla River at Pendleton. 2; Snake River, at. Payette. 2; Columbia River at 
Umatilla, 1; Skookumchuck River near Centralis, 7; Post Creek, St. Ignatius Mission, Mont.. 
1 : I'end d'Oreille River, Newport. Idaho, 19. 

This is the common sucker of the Columbia and Lower Snake rivers, and large numbers 
were frequently seen feeding in the shallow waters along shore. In 25 specimens the dorsal 
rays were as follows; Thirteen rays in l specimen, 14 in 15. 15 in 8, 16 in 1. Scales (17 to 70. 
Tlie tour specimens reported by Kigenmanu from Idaho Falls are more likely referable to C. 
ardens; C. macrocheilus probably does not occur in the. Upper Snake. 

7. Catostomus ardens . I nrdau A: Gilbert. 

Catostomus ardens Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mas. 1880, 464. Type locality: Utah Lake, 
Provo, Otah. 

Six specimens from Mink Creek, near Pocatello, are identified with this species. No adults 
of ' . ardens were obtained, and the status of ardens and macrocheilus -in the Columbia can not 
be determined until a larger series is available for comparison. In all suckers of this type 
llnis far taken from Snake River above the falls, including those from President Camp and 
from Heart Lake, the dorsal tin is small, containing but 11, 12, or 13 rays; and the caudal 
peduncle is thicker than in specimens of macrocheilus of equal size. Measurements of our 
specimens are given in the following table: 



Coll. No. 


Head. 


Depth. 


1 . 


Snout. 


Dorsal. 


Anal. 


Scales. 


Length 
in inches. 


2 
3 
20 

21 
22 

2:1 


■r 


-1-; 6 

4| 6 


28 


13 

13 
12 
13 


7 
7 


10-67-8 
10-07-8 

71 
Til 
66 
66 


10 
9J 












12 

12 





















8. Acrocheilus alutaceus Agassi/ & Pickering. " Chisel-mouth." 

Igassiz & Pickering, Amer. Jour. Sci. and Arts, 1855, 99. Type localities: 

of the Willamette and in Walla Walla River. 
Specimens obtained from Payette River at Payette, 53; Palaha Creek at Starbuck, 1; 
I matilla River at Pendleton. 15; Natchess River at North Yakima, 2; Walla Walla River at 
Wallula. Wash.. 1: Columbia River at Umatilla, 26; Pot] at eh Creek, 2 miles above mouth, 
19; Snake River at Payette, 17: Boise River at Caldwell , 5. 

So far as known this species is confined to the Columbia River basin, where it is one of 
losI abundant and most widely distributed of the minnows. It has not yet been found 
in Snake River above the falls, uor is it. known from the Peud d'Oreille basin. 

9. Rhinichthys cataractae dulcis (Girard). IV, . Mot-to-nut-se of the Fort Hall Indians. 

Argyreus dulcis Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1856, 185. Type locality: Sweetwater River, 
Nebraska. 

This widely distributed species is represented in the collection by the following: Mouth 

of < 'olville River, 1 ; Snake River at Idaho Falls, 2; Ross pork near Pocatello, 64; Little Wood 

River near Shoshone, 9; CoBur-d'Alene Lake, 14; Columbia River at Pasco, 3; Natchess River 

at Ninth Yakima. 11; Post Creek, St. Ignatius Mission, Mont., 6; Clarke Fork at Thompson 

Is, Montana, 2. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 41 

This species has hitherto been reported from the Columbia River basin from but one 
place — Snake River, at President Camp;* it seems, however, to be a pretty common fish 
throughout thai basin. It was obtained by Woolman and Bean in Posl < Ireels ami at Thomp- 
son Falls, the only places in the Pend d'Oreille system where it lias yei been found. The 
Indian name refers to the motion of the nose in eating. 

10. Agosia nubila (Girard). 

ireua nubilua Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.1856, 186. Type locality: Fort Steilacoom, 
.Washington. 

Since the original description of this species no specimens have until now been taken 
from tiear the type locality. The name has been recently used bj .Ionian and others for the 
• i inhabiting the Upper Snake River and the Great Basin in Utah, being thus considered 
synonymous with the numerous nominal speeies (carringtonii, imlnerata, rhiniehthyoides, h-en- 
shavii, and novemradiata) described by Cope from streams tribntarj to Great Sail Lake. 
As this identification has been based upon a comparison with the imperfectlj preserved types 
of nubila, the present collection is of great interest, containing, as ii does, material from 15 
localities, distributed between the Newaukum River in western Washington and the tribu- 
taries of the Upper Snake River in southeastern Idaho. A study of this material has shown 
the desirability of recognizing as a distinct subspecies Agosia nubila carringtonii, the form 
found in the Great Basin and the Upper Snake River. 

Examination of the annexed tabular statement will show the astonishing amount ol 
variation which this species exhibits. Thus, tin- crosswise scries of scales varies from 47 to 
70 in number; the barbel is present or absent ; the phan ngeal teeth vary from 1. 4-4, to 
L'. 1-1, 2: and the dorsal tin varies much in position and somewhat in size. These characters 
occur in various combinations, and with some of these are often correlated peculiarities of 

physio gi j and general appearance, all of which may serve to put a certain stamp upon the 

individuals from a single stream, or even from one locality in a stream. Disregarding such 
local variations, we lind that our material, exclusive of the specimens of A. nubila carringtonii, 
falls more or less clearly into three groups, distributed around certain geographical centers. 
Whether we are here dealing with subspecies seems doubtful, and can be determined only by 
more extensive and detailed exploration. The first of these forms, typical nubila, is represented 
in our collection by a large number of specimens from the Newaukum ami Skookumchuck rivers 
in western Washington, very near the type locality of the species. These are all very dark 
in coloration, and have a jet-black lateral band which extends alone sides of head and encircles 
the snout. This band is absent in our second and third groups, found east of the Cascades. 

or it is at -t only faintly indicated. The darker coloration of the coastwise form may be 

due to its inhabiting a densely forested area, possessing different climatic conditions from 
those characterizing the dry semidesert of eastern Washington and western Idaho. Both 
the typical nubila and the lighter interior form which centersabout I matilla are characterized 
by their coarse scales (a\ eraging 51 alone; the lateral line) and their peculiar markings. The 
latter are due to the fact that numerous scattered scales along the back and sides are of a 
dark slate color, contrasting sharply with the lighter ground. 

The third group centers iu the Spokane region, and is characterized by smaller scales, 
the less-marked peculiarities of coloration, and the almost uniform absence ol' the maxillary 
barbel. The inconstancy of this important generic character within the limits of the species 
has been heretofore noticed only by Cope, who iu notes on Apocope oulnerata I calls attention 
to its occasional absence. In our specimens from other than the Spokane district the barbel 
is very rarely lacking. 

The significance of the groups above outlined can be determined satisfactorily only by 
the study of a much more extensive series than that on which this paper is based. An open 
waterway exists between them, and it. is useless to attempt to indicate their value while so 
large a part of the Columbia and adjacent, basins remain unexplored. 

11. Agosia nubila carringtonii (Cope). Mo-aha-pbg-gee. 

Apocope carringtonii Cope, Hayden's Fifth Annual Report, 1871 (1872), 472. Type locality: Warm 
Springs, Utah. 

" Evermann, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. for 1891 (1892), 12. 
tCope, Zool. Wheelers Survey VY. 100th Merid., 647, 1876. 



42 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



We include under this name the Agosia of the Great Salt Lake basin (exclusive of the 
Sevier River) audof the Upper Snake River. Our collection contains specimens from PorfcNeuf 
River, Mink Creek, and Ross Fork near Pocatello, and from Little Wood River at Shoshone 
It diners from nubila in its finer scales (average about 65) and in the absence of the sharply 
marked blackish scales on the sides. The Fort Hall Indians, to whom we showed specimens 
of this miunow, called it Mo-sha-pog-gee, a word which they say describes its eatiug habits. 

12. Agosia umatilla sp. nov. (El. IX.) 

Type locality: Columbia River at Umatilla, Oregon, where 15 specimens were collected, 
August 11, 1893, by Messrs. Gilbert and Rutter. Type, No. 45390, U. S. Nat. Mus. Co-types, No. 
45391, U. S. Nat. Mus., and Nos. 1142 to 1147 (Umatilla) and 1148 to 1150 (Payette) Museum 
Leland Stanford Junior University. 

Associate type locality : Payette River at Payette, Idaho, where 3 specimens were secured, 
August 9, 1893, by Messrs. Gilbert, Thoburn, and Rutter. 

Related to Agosia falcata and Agosia nubila carringtonii. 

Description: Head, 3£; depth, 4f; eye, 4; snout, 3. D.I, 9; A. I, 7; scales, 14-68-8, about 
30 before the dorsal. Teeth, 1, 4-4, 1 hooked. The body is rather slender, the back somewhat 
elevated; head pointed, narrow; mouth inferior, nearly horizontal, narrow; caudal peduncle 
compressed, slender, its least depth 2 iu head. Origin of dorsal fin slightly behind insertion 
ofventrals and about midway between base of middle caudal rays and nostril; dorsal fin 
falcate, the anterior rays nearly as long as head, their tips reaching well behind posterior 
rays when deflexed ; rudimentary ray not enlarged nor spinelike; anal strongly falcate, the 
anterior rays much produced, about as long as head and more than twice the length of the 
posterior rays; pectoral not quite reaching ventrals, 1^ in head; ventrals reaching well 
beyond front of anal, 1| in head; caudal deeply forked; no ventral stays. Barbel minute; 
upper lip without frenum. Color in alcohol, olivaceous above, covered with obscure patches 
of darker; sides with a distinct plumbeous band following the course of the lateral line and 
extending forward through the eye and around snout; side with a number of dark blotches, 
usually imperfectly defined, partly covering the plumbeous band ; a large dark blotch on base 
of caudal peduncle, and one or two smaller ones on base of caudal rays. Length, 65 mm. 

The range of variation, as shown by the co-types, is not great. Depth, 4| to 5; eye, 3i to 
4; scales, 13 or 14, 60 to 70-7 or 8: D. 8 or 9. There are slight but unimportant color differ- 
ences. (For variation in measurements, see table.) 

This species is somewhat intermediate between Agosia falcata and A. nubila carringtonii. 
From the former it may be distinguished by its notably smaller scales, absence of ventral stays, 
and smaller eye; from the latter it differs in its longer, more slender snout and larger, strongly 
falcate fins. As in A. falcata, the top of head and anterior portion of trunk are often covered 
with minute nuptial tubercles. From Agosia adobe it differs in the larger eye, which is con- 
tained li to 1+ times in snout, while in A. adobe it is contained 2 to 2£ times; the fins are 
higher and more falcate, and the scales below lateral line are larger. The 3 specimens obtained 
from Payette River do not differ materially from those found at Umatilla. 

13. Agosia falcata Eigenmann <& Eigenmann. 

Agosia falcata Eigenmann & Eigenmann, American Naturalist for February, 1893, 153. Type 
locality: Boise River, Caldwell, Idaho. 

This interesting species was obtained by us at the following places: Boise River at 
Caldwell, 97; Payette River at Payette, 27; Snake River at Payette, 1; Mill Creek near 
Walla Walla, 1 ; Columbia River at Umatilla, 55 ; Columbia River at Pasco, 5. 

In the following table we give measurements of a number of specimens : 



Boise River at Caldwell. 



Payette Eiver at Payette. 



Head 4 



I ).■ i .t li 
Eye... 
Snout . . 
Dorsal 

A n:il 



4! 
3J 

9 
7 
Scales 56 



7 7 
56 93 



I 

5 H 

n ' 2< 

9 9 

7 7 
55 55 



5 
4 
3 

9 

7 
56 55 



3j :i> 4 

4i 5 5 

3i 4J 3j 

3 3 3 



t Ui 3} 

42 5 5 

:ii :q 33 

3 3 U 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



43 



One of the most characteristic marks of this species is the presence of two or three mem- 
branous stays connecting the inner ventral rays with the skin of the hotly, thus forming pockets 
under the ventral fins and holding them down quite firmly. Adults show an extraordinary 
development of the nuptial tubercles, which are present on top of head, and on back and sides of 
body. On the body a single tubercle is located on the middle of the free edge of each scale, being 
formed by a thickening of the integument. On the belly, this thickening involves the entire 
surface of the scales, giving to this region a mosaic-like appearance. Beneath this thickened 
epidermis, the scales are often partially absorbed, especially on the breast. Tubercles are 
also present on the inner (superior) surfaces of the pectoral fins, where they follow the fin rays 
in single series, branching to correspond with the forking of the ray. 

We find the origin of the dorsal fin in this species constantly behind the front insertion of the 
ventrals. It varies from midway between base of median caudal rays and nostrils (its usual 
position) to a point midway between caudal and posterior margin of pupil. The variation 
includes the position of the dorsal assigned as a distinguishing feature in Agosia shuswap 
Eigenmann, this being the only character assigned as distinguishing shuswap from falcata.* 

Table showing variation in species of Agosia. 



Locality. 


a 

<D 

a 

t3 
d 
to 

w 


U 
a 

« 

a 

p, 
© 


5 
9 

a 


3 
® 

a 

= 

a 

CO 


£ n 

no 03 

© aj 

pvs 

-II II 

3 

pq 


J3 
9 

V 

H 


a 

<a 

09 
u 


R 


8 
as 

t- 

O 
TS 
<*» . 

a 

B<B 


+3 
"01 




- 

a 
*4 


n 
9 

"3 

CO 


°l 
- — 


03 

~ ~ 
<S 4) 

4* O 

°B 
0"* 


m 
cj 
"5. 

SB 

. » 



Agosia nubila. 

Colville River, Meyers 

Falls. 
Little Spokane River, 

Dart's Mill. 
Hangman Cr.,Tekoa . . 


33-4 
1 

31-4 


3J-4 

l-H 

4-4 


4 

4J-5 


3 

3 





+ inl 
O 

Oin34 
+ inl0 


1,4-4,1 

2,4-4,2 

1,4-4,2 
2,4-4,2 
1,4-4,2 


8 

8 or 9 

8 or 9 

8 or 9 

8 or 9 

8 
8 or 9 

8 or 9 






52-57 
52-63 
51-65 
64-70 


55 
62 
57 
66 


10 
77 
50 
44 
9 

1 

10 

13 
39 

20 

7 


6 

9 

10 

9 

9 

1 
10 

9 

15 

20 
3 
7 


To preopercle. 

Beyond p r e - 

opercle. 
Middle of 

pupil. 




Clearwater R., Lewis- 
ton. 

Boise R., Caldwell 

PotlatchCr.,Lewiston. 

Pataha R., Starbuck .. 
Walla Walla R., Wal- 

lula. 
Mill Cr., Walla Walla 
Umatilla R., Pendleton 
Columbia R., Umatilla. 
Natchess River, North 

Yakima. 
Newaukum River.Cbe- 

halis. 
Skookumehuck River, 

Chehalis. 

A. nubila carringtonii. 

Port Neuf River, Po- 
catello. 










4 
3J-4J 

4 -41 
3J-4 


33-4J 

4 -4J 
4 


34 
4 -4} 


34 

2J-3 


+ 
O 

+ - 

+ 

+ 

+ 
+ 

+ 

+ 
+ 

O 

+ 
+ 
+ 

+ 
+ 

+ 

+ 
+ 
+ 

+ 
+ 


1,4-4,1 
1,4-4,0 
1.4-4,1 
2,4-4,2 


To eye 

To preopercle. 


7 

7 


56 

60-66 

60-64 
47-55 

52-61 
48-58 
48-57 
53-58 

53-58 

50-57 

69 

53-72 

65 

61-67 

62-63 
63-79 

60-65 
53-59 


56 
62 

62 
49 

55 
52 
53 

56 

55 
55 

69 

64 
65 
64 

62* 
71 

64 

56 


4 -4J 29-3 




To preopercle. 
do 




















2, 4-4, 2 








3J-1 


4* 


3i-4 


2J-3 




































4 
4 


4H4 

H 


3J-4 
3J 


21-31 

3J 


- 








6 

1 

15 
1 
4 

2 
48 

6 

97 
27 
55 

10 
6 


6 

1 

13 
1 

4 

2 

10 

6 

11 
6 
8 

10 
6 


1,4-4,1 


8 


Tofrontofeye. 
To eye 


7 

7 
7 


Mink Creek, Pocatello. 
Port Neuf River, Po- 
catello. 






4 


3 




9 






41 4 


4 
4 

45 
44-5 

3J-4 
34-4J 
3J-4 

4 
44-5 


3 
3 -3J 

2J-3 

3 

2J-3 

24 
2J-3 




9 


Tofroutof eye. 


7 


Little Wood River 

Payette R., Payette . . . 

A. falcata. 

Boise River, Caldwell. 
Payette R., Payette... 

ColumbiaR., Umatilla. 

A. umatillu. 
ColumbiaR., Umatilla. 

Payette R., Pay ette . . . 






8 or 9 
9 or 10 




7 

7 


3J-4 

3|-4 
4-4J 

3J-4 
33 


44-5i 
45-5 

4J-5 

4J-5 
44-5 










1,4-4,1 

1,4-4,1 
1,4-4,1 


9 or 10 

8 or 9 
8 or 9 


To nostril 

To front of 

pupil. 


7 

7 
7 


52-58 

63-70 
60 65 


56 

66 
63 









"Eigenmann, American Naturalist, February, 1893, 154. 



44 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



14. Couesius greeni Jordan. 

Jordan, Proc. I'. S. Nat. Mus. 1893,313. Type locality: Stuart Lake near Fort 
St. James, British Columbia. (Type. No. 44454, U. S. Nat. Mus.) 

In the collection made by Messrs. Bean and Woolman, September 20. 18*92, in a small creek 
at Sand Point, Idaho, we find three examples of this species. In length they measure 2}, 3, 
and:;; inches, respectively. Head in length of body. 41,41-, 4j ; depth, 4}. 5, 5; eye, i , :; 1 
sn.mt. 3f, 3i, 31; interorbital width, Si, 3L, 3; D. 8; A. 8; scales, 10-55-6, 11-60-5, 11-60 6; 
34 before the dorsal. The origin of the dorsal tin is at a point midway bi tween base of caudal 
tin and the preorbital (not "preopercle," as given in the original description of C. greeni, 
evidently a misprint for "preorbital" These Sand Point specimens agree well with the 

type of C. greeni with whii h we have compared them. This s] ies Beems to differ from the 

Cum sins of the Upper Missouri basin | ( 'ouesius dissimilis) in the somewhat larger scales and in 
having the scales Jess crowded on anterior part of body. 

13. Cypriuus carpio Linnaeus. Carp. The carp has been introduced into a number of ponds ani 
small lakes of the Columbia basin and from these has escaped into the streams. We saw it in 
Payette River at Payette and heard of it elsewhere. 

16. Mylocheilus cauriuus (Richardson). ■•Chub": " Whitefish." 

Cyprinus {Leuciseus) canrinus Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana, m, 304, 1836. Typeloeality: 
Columbia River, at Fort Vancouver. 

Specimens obtained from Pend d'Oreille River at Newport. Idaho, 1 ; Boise River at t aid- 
well, Idaho, 19; Payette River at Payette, Idaho, 7; Snake River at Payette, Idaho, 8; 
Columbia River at Umatilla, Oreg.. 16; Walla Walla River at Wnllnla. Oreg., 13; Blue 
Lakes. Idaho, 8; Umatilla River at Pendleton. Oreg., 1. An abundant and widely distributed 
fish in the Lower Columbia basin; not known from Snake River above the falls, and probably 
not occur there. Observed to be very abundant in the Pend d'Oreille below Newport. 

17. Ptycliocheilus oregonensis (Richardson). "Squawfish." 

Cyprinus (Leuciseus) oregonensis Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana, III, 305, 1836. Type 
locality: Columbia River, at Fort Vancouver. 

Specimens obtained from Payette River at Payette, Idaho, 27; Hangman Creek at Tekoa. 
Wash., 9; Clearwater Creek at Lewiston, Idaho. 2; Potlatch (reek near Lewiston, Idaho, 
3: Snake River at Payette, Idaho. 2; Boise River at Caldwell. Idaho. 28 ; Walla Walla River 
at Wallula, Wash., 1; Columbia River at Pasco, Wash., 6; Columbia River at Umatilla, 
Oreg., 4; Umatilla River at Pendleton. Oreg., 6; Natehess River at North Yakima. Wash.. 4: 
Skookumchuck River near Centralis, Wash., 28; Newaukum River near Chehalis, Wash., 8; 
Mouth of Colville River, Colville, Wash., 6; Spokane River below Spokane, Wash., 10; Lake 
Pend d'Oreille at Sand Point, Idaho. 1: Pend d'Oreille River at Newport, Idaho. 7; Flathead 
Lake, Mont., 28. In the Pend d'Oreille River the scjuawtish is even more abundant than .1/. 
caurinus. No differences could be discovered between the above-mentioned specimens and 
others from the Sacramento River basin in California. 

18. Leuciseus hydropblox (Cope). Po-he-wa. 

Clinostomus hydro-phlox Cope, Hayden's Fifth Annual Report, 1871 (1872), 475. Type locality: 
Blackfoot Creek, Idaho. 

Clinostomus- montanus Cope, 1. c, -175. Type locality: Grass Creek, Idaho. 

Clin nia C'ope. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc. Phila. 1874. 133. Type locality: Utah Lake. 

Numerous specimens of tins species were collected in the Snake River at Idaho Falls, in 

Ko>s Fork of Snake River (on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation), and in Mink Creek and Port 

Neuf River near Poeatello, Idaho. The Indian name Po-he-wa ane striped. The following 

tabular statement shows tho variation in the number of anal tin rays among the examples col- 
lected at these places. 



Locality. 


■ 
specimens 

. . i 


9 anal 

raj s. 


10 anal 


] i anal 12 ana] 
rays. rays. 


A i erage 
Dumber 
ol rays 
iu anal. 

11 
12$ 
11 
11 


Idaho Falls 


13 
52 
5 

US 


1 


1 
IT 

1 
41 


i) 3 

:;; 6 

4 

65 12 











INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 45 

Numerous specimens (83) obtained in 1891 in the Snake River at President Camp ami in a 
small creels at the head of Jackson Lake. Wyoming, have 11 or 11' anal rays. I2beingthe number 
in most of the examples counted. In 1892, Dr. Eigenmann obtained specimens at Idaho Falls, 2 
of which have 12, 14 have 13, and 1 have II anal rays eaeh. Putting these with the 13 col- 
lected by us, gives au average of 12+ anal rays tor that locality. This species was obtained 
also by Jordan & ( lilbert in 1889 in Heart Lake and Witch Creek, in Yellowstone Park.t The 
specimens examined by them had L3 anal rays. In specimens from Idaho Falls the scales of 
lateral line range as follows: 52, 53, 53, 53, 55, 55, 57, 57, 58, 61; from Port Nenf River, 51. 51, 
51, 52, 53, 53, 55, 57. Head from 1 to 4 '. in length, eye 3* to 3| iu head. The maxillary scarcely 
reaches front of eye, and is 3 to 3,' ; times in head. 

19. Leuciscus lineatus (Girard). 

Tigoma lineata Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. l'hila. 1856, 206. Type locality: Not definitely 
known, but probably somewhere in the Utah basin. 

Tigoma atraria Girard, 1. c, 208. Type locality : " A spring in the Utah district, near the desert." 

Tigoma ooesa Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. l'hila. 1856, 206. Type locality: Salt Lake Valley. 

Tigoma squamata Gill, Proc. Bost. Soo. Nat. Hist. 1861,42. Type locality : Salt Lake Basin. 

Squalius eraoreus Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880,400. Type locality : Utah Lake; 
young specimens. 

Squalius rhomaleus Jordan & Gilbert, 1. c. ilil. Type locality : Utah Lake; large specimens. 

Siboma atraria longiceps Cope. Zool. Wheeler Snrv.,v, 667, 187C. Type locality : Snake Creek, Nev. 
This species was obtained at the following places: Idaho Falls; Port Nenl' River at 
Pocatello; Payette River at Payette. Others were seen at American Falls, in Snake River. 
Besides the localities given in the above synonymy, this fish has been re] ported from the fol- 
lowing additional points in the Snake River basin: Heart Lake and Witch Creek, in Y'ellow- 
stone Park (Jordan & Gilbert. 1889); Snake River at President Camp; Jackson Lake and a 
small creek at upper end of Jackson Lake, Wyoming. (Evermann & Jenkins, 1891); - 
River at Idaho Falls, Idaho (Eigenmann). Iu the Columbia basin it Beeme to be entirely 
confined to the Snake River, and in that stream its occurrence below the tails is exceptional. 
It is an excessively abundant tish in the Great Salt Lake basin, particularly iu Utah Lake. 

In the canal at Idaho Falls we easily caught this and the preceding species by placing dough 
inside a small dip net and allowing it to rest a short time on the bottom ; gnat numbers of the 
two species, particularly of /.. hydrophlox, would soon begin feeding on the dough, when they 
could be easily seemed by lifting the net. In all recent papers this species has been listed 
under the name Leuciscus atrarius, but it seems quite certain that Tigoma lineata Girard is the 
same fish : and this, being the older name, must take the place of atrarius. 

20. Leuciscus aliciae Jouy. 

Tigoma gracilis Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. l'hila. 1856,206; not Cyprinus (Leuciscun) gracilis 
Richardson. 

Squalius in/), i Jordan & Gilbert, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 461; not Leuciscus copei Giinther. 

Leuciscus alicia Jony, Proc. I. S. Nat. .Mus. 1881, 10. Type locality ; Utah Lake. 

This species was found very abundant in Little Wood River at Shoshone, where 86 speci- 
mens were obtained. Slight differences are found on comparison of these specimens with 
others from the Sevier River, Utah, but these differences are not likely to prove constant and 
are not more extensive, than are frequently found on comparing specimens from adjacent 
tributaries of the same stream. The eye is a trifle larger, the caudal peduncle rather more 
slender, the pectoral and ventral fins seem to average a little shorter, and the dorsal may be 
a little more anterior in position. 

This species has been previously known only from Sevier River, Beaver River, and Provo 
River in Utah. Its occurrence in the valley of the Upper Snake River is one more evidence of 
the identity of the two faunas. At least 8 of the species of our collection from the Upper 
Snake River are also found in the Great Salt Lake Basin ofUtah. They are Catostomus ardent, 
Rhinichlhya iltilcis, Agosia nubila carringtonii, Leuciscus hydrophlox, Leuciscus aliciw, Leiichcus 
lineatus, Coregonus williamsoni, and Coitus punctulatus. 

The following is a detailed description of our specimens from Little Wood River : Head. 
4(3fto4i); depth, 4to4J; eye,3£to4; snout, 3| to 4. D.8; A. 8, in 52 specimens, 9 in 34. 
Scales. 18-70 to 83-13. Body elongate, moderately compressed; head short and heavy, 

* Evermann, Bull. U. S. Fish Comm. for 1891, 44. t Jordan, Bull. U. S. FishComm. for 1889, 48. 



4G 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVERT BASIN. 



intraorbital width a little greater than snout ; snout declined.; mouth wide, oblique, lower 
jaw very slightly projecting; maxillary reaching to within front of orbit; caudal peduncle 
long, the distance between anal tin and base, of caudal about 1^ in head, least depth of caudal 
peduncle 2f in head. Fins small; height of dorsal H in head, its free edge- slightly convex; 
origin of dorsal somewhat behind ventrals, a little nearer base of caudal than tip of snout; 
anal about size of dorsal; length of pectoral equal to height of dorsal, their tips rarely 
reaching base of ventrals; ventrals short, equal to snout and eye. Lateral line somewhat 
interrupted, little decurved; scales crowded anteriorly. 
21. Leuciscus balteatus (Richardson). 

Cyprinus (Airamis) balteatus Richardson, Fauna Boreali-Americana, m, 301, 1836. Type locality: 

Columbia River, presumably at Fort Vancouver, Washington. 
Richardsoitiw lateralis Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1850, 202. Type locality: Fort Steil- 
acoom, Puget Sound. 

This is one of the most abundant species of the Columbia and Lower Snake River, but 
appears not to occur in the Upper Snake, where it is replaced by L. hydrophlox. The accom- 
panying table shows the stations at which this species was taken, together with the number of 
individuals from each locality, and the number of rays in the anal fin. It will be seen that 
the latter vary, in our specimens, from 11 to 22 in number, the averages in the counts from 
the different localities ranging from 13 to 18. 

In a recent paper,* Dr. Eigenmann announces the discovery that in this species tie 
number of anal rays decreases with increasing altitude or that "the higher the altitude 
the fewer the number of rays and the narrower the limits of variation." To successfully 
establish such a generalization a very large amount of evidence would be necessary. As a 
contribution to this question we append the following table, which can not, we think, be 
interpreted as showing the truth of the theory. In this table we give, (1) the localities from 
which specimens were examined; (2) the range in variation in anal rays among the 
individuals; (3) the total number examined from each locality; (4) the average number of 
anal rays for each locality, and (5) the approximate altitude of each place. Fractions of -J or 
more are included in the next higher number : 



Locality. 


Number of aual raws. 


Total 
No. ex- 
amined. 


Aver- 
age No. 
aual 
rays. 


Approx- 
imate 
eleva- 
tion in 
feet. 


11 


12 
14 


13 

30 

7 

a 

'_> 
5 
16 
1 

2 


14 

19 
5 
5 

10 
10 
11 
1 
3 
19 
5 
2 
3 


15 


6 
1 
1 
1 
9 

13 
6 
7 

36 
1 
5 
1 
2 
4 
7 

10 
1 

29 
6 


16 


17 


18 


19 


20 


21 


22 


23 


24 


Little Spokane River, Dart'sMill 


1 






70 
21 
11 

1 
14 
29 
47 
11 
14 
05 

8 
11 

8 

3 

6 
18 
65 
13 
154 
23 

4 
58 

6 
34 
16 

3 

12 
10 
ID 
79 

2 


13 

14 
14 
14 
14 
14 
14 

15 

15 
15 
15 
-15 
15 
15 

154 

16 

16 
16 
16 
16 
17 
17 
17 
18 
18 
18 
18 
18 
19 
19 
204 


1,850 

1, 21)0 
1,910 
1,475 
5,344 
1,070 

1 
3,100 
1,990 
2,100 

2, 000 
1,910 
1,078 

204 

3, 100 
2, 550 
2, 372 

204 

2, 15U 

2,786 

1,20(1 

1,300 

326 

2,372 

750 

375 

300 

2,150 

300 

1 

1,158 


2 
3 






1 
















1 




































1 
1 
4 
3 
3 
3 
2 
2 

:t 

1 
1 

5 
21 

7 
27 
11 
I 
13 
2 
6 
3 






















1 

1 






















1 


1 






























Small Creek at Sand Point, Idaho 






1 
6 
















1 




































2 


















Natcoess River, North Yakima.. 




1 












































1 
4 

12 
2 

28 
4 
1 

28 
2 
7 
5 
1 
2 
1 
1 
7 




















1 


2 
2 
3 


1 

5 

'is' 

2 


1 

8 

1 

25 














4 


2 




























12 


3 


2 




























2 
8 

"s 

4 
1 
2 
4 
5 
13 






















1 


3 


5 
2 
7 
4 
1 
5 
3 
1 
25 






























1 


2 


2 


1 






















































1 


1 

1 


1 
1 
2 
18 

1 








































1 
8 
1 








MieBion, B, (\a 


.... 










2 


2 


2 


2 


i 



























a These are the localities from which specimens were examined by Dr. Eigenmann. The data are those given by him. 
* Results of Explorations in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. Bull. U. S. F. 0. 1894, 131. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA. RIVER BASIN. 



47 



In the above table we have arranged the data beginning with the lowest average number of anal 
rays (13), and proceeded from that to tho highest (20^). In the table which follows we have 
arranged the localities in order of elevation, beginning with the lowest. 



Table showing the relation of altitude I" number of anal fin rays in Leuciscus balteatua. 



Localities. 



Approxi- Average 
mate alti- No. of 



tilde. 



anal rays. 



Lake Washington 

Mission a 

Newauknm River 

Skookunicbuck River 

TJmatillaa 

Umatilla 

Wallula 

Pasco 

Lewiston 

Pendleton 

Kainloops a 

Potlatch Creek at Lew iston 

Meyers Falls 

Sioamons a 

Revelstokea 

Dart'sMills 

Griffin Lake (i 

Spokane River, Spokane 

Hangman Creek, Spokane . . 

Newport 

Sand Point 

Snake River, Payette 

Payette River. Payette 

Caldwell a 

Caldwell 

Golden a 

La Grande a 

Flathead Lake 

Post Creek 

Silver Bow 



No. of 
speci- 
mens on 
which 
n\ erages 
.re based 



14 

1!) 

15 

16 

19 

18 

17 

18 

18 

14 I 

20J 

17 ! 

14 

17 

14 

13 

15 

14 

15 

15 

15 

18 

16 

18 

16 

16 

16 

15 

15J 

14 



47 
79 

3 
13 
10 
12 

6 

3 
16 
29 

o 

4 
21 
58 

1 
70 
14 
11 
11 

8 
95 
10 
154 
34 
65 
18 
23 
11 

6 
14 



a These data are from Dr. Eigenmann's paper. 

Comparing these with Eigenmanu"s results, it will be seen that the average number of 
rays from our lowest elevation (14 at Lake Washington) is fewer by 2 than the average tiom 
his highest elevation (16 at La Grande) and that our average for Newaukum River (2(U feet 
elevation) is fewer than any average found by him except at Revelstoke (1,475 feet), where 
his average is 14, and at Griffin Lake (1,900 feet), where it is 15. The average found by us at 
eea level (Lake Washington) is identical with that found at Silver Bow,* whose elevation is 
5,344 feet, the greatest elevation from which specimens have been examined. When there is 
absolutely no difference between the averages for the lowest and the highest elevations it is 
not possible for us to see any reason for the generalization, "the higher the altitude the fewer 
the number of rays." If the figures show anything, they show that the number of anal tin 
rays does not decrease with increasing altitude. It is also stated that the greatest range of 
variation is at the lowest altitudes, but further on it is stated that the " greatest variation 
in this [the Columbia] system was not at the lowest altitude, but at an elevation of 2,372 feet." 
The range here was found by him to be through 9, or from 12 to 20. We rind the same range 
of variation (from 12 to 20) in our specimens from Payette (2,150 feet.) The range found at 
the point nearest sea level in the Columbia basin (at Umatilla, 300 feet) was only through 6 
(15 to 20), and the average for that place is nearly identical with that at Caldwell. The vari- 
ation found by Eigenmann among his Mission specimens is through 9 (16 to 24), while that of 
our Lake Washington specimens is through 7 (12 to 18). The averages for these two places, 
both of which are at sea level, are 19 and 14, respectively. 

We consider Leuciscus lateralis (Girard) a simple synonym of L. oalteatus. Our material 
covers well the type localities of both (Columbia River at Fort Vancouver and Fort Steila- 
coomon Puget Sound) and indicates but one form. We are certainly not prepared to consider 
lateralis a subspecies of balteatus, occupying the same brook with its parent form, as indicated 
by Eigenmann. 

* L. gilli, probably a good species. 



48 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

22. Coregonus williamsoiii Girard. (Plate IX ). 

Coregonus williamsoni Girard, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. 1856, 136. Type Locality: Des Chutes 
River, < (regon. 

Specimens obtained from the Payette River at Payette, Idaho, 24; Clearwater River at 
Lewiston, Idaho, 7; Columbia River at Umatilla, < 'reg., 1 : Natchess River at North Yakima, 
Wash., 8; Newaukum River at Chehalis, Washington, l: Little Spokane River at Dart's 
Mill. Wash., 6; Flathead Lake, Montana, 2; Post Creek, St. Ignatius Mission, Montana, 9; 
Clarke Fork at Thompson Falls, Mont., 1; Creek at Sand Point, Idaho, f>: Spokane River. 
Spokane, Wash., 1. 

Abundant and widely distributed throughout the Columbia and Upper Colorado and 
Missouri l>asins. Specimens of this fish were obtained by Mr. Bean which aro of unusual 
interest in that they show the breeding colors. Mr. Bean's report upon these specimens is 
given at the end of this paper. 

23. Oiicorhynchusgorbuscha(Walliaum). Humpback Salmon. Tin- humpback salmon was running in 

great abundance at the date of our visit to Puget Sound (August 26 and was the only Bpecies 
then being handled at the canneries. We were informed that the humpbacks did not run last 
year, and in corroboration of the fact that this species runs on the Sound in alternate years 
only, it is recalled that, it did not appear in 1880, when one of us visited this region. As is 
well known, the female humpbacks are plump, symmetrical, silvery fishes of attractive appear- 
ance ami good flavor. Aside from the traditional requirements as to color of flesh, the species 
is well adapted for canning purposes. Xo young of this species were found in the streams. 

24. Oncorhynchiis keta (Walbaum). Dog Salmon. The young of the dog salmon wire abundant 

in the Newaukum and Skookumchuck rivers at Chehalis. Wash. They average slightly 
smaller than young quimiats, and are readily distinguished by their larger eyes. They have 

12 or 13 branchiostegal rays. 14 rays in the anal tin, 130 to 135 scales in lateral Lines, aud 7 + 

13 gill-rakers. Like the young quinnats, these were all nearly uniform in size, and were 
evidently young of the preceding year. 

25- Oncorhynchus tschawytscha (Walbaum). Quinnat Salmon. Only the young of the Columbia 
River salmon were seen by us during our short investigation of the Columbia and the 
Snake. It had not yet reached its spawning beds on the. Snake at the tine- of our visit, and 
the " close season " prevented its capture later in the lower river. Such facts :is we writ- 
able to ascertain concerning its rim and spawning-grounds are therefore based on interviews 
with fishermen and others, a kind of testimony which must, in this case, lie scrutinized 
with more than usual care, flu the upper river it was repeatedly found that no distinction 
was seemingly made between the salmon and the steelhead, and of the two species of salmon 
that almost certainly spawn in theuppercour.se of these streams, no distinctive accounts could 
be had. A "silver salmon" was. indeed, frequently mentioned, but we were unable to ascer- 
tain whether the lish thus distinguished was the female quinnat or the bluebaek (0. nerka). 

As already indicated in our notes on the streams, salmon ascend the Snake River to and 
above the Lower and Upper Salmon Falls, and have important spawning-beds in the main 
stream, both above and below these falls. They are not known above the Auger Palls, anil 
probably do not even reach the foot of the Great Shoshone. They appear first in this portion 
of the river early in September, or occasionally in the latter part of August, at a time when 
the streams are so low that falls or dams which would form no barrier earlier in the season 
now keep them out from otherwise favorable spawning-beds. This fish is not much used for 
food in the upper waters', fin- remnants of the various Indian tribes make yearly visits to 
the spawning-beds and occasionally white men have tried to put them on the market, but 
without success. Great numbers, are. however, annually killed through mere h>\ e of destruc- 
tion. The advent of the salmon brings out from every town men anil boys with pitchforks 
or other weapons, curious to see how many of these fish they can destroy. It is to be held in 
mind that these Localities in Idaho ami in the eastern port ions ot i (regon and Washington are 
mote from the canneries thai the people have no interest whatever in the preservation 
of the salmon. We can not. therefore, depend upon public sentiment to enforce protective 
legislation. 

We give below such information as we possess concerning the distribution of salinou in 
the Snake and Upper Columbia rivers. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 49 

The principal tributaries of that portion of Snake River which is accessible to salmon are 
the following: Salmon Falls River or Salmon Creek, Malade River, Bruneau River, Owyhee 
River, Boise River, Payette River, Salmon River, Grande Ronde River, Clearwater River, 
and Palouse River. 

Beyond the fact that the fish enter Salmon Creek and ascend it for a mile or more, we 
were able to ascertain nothing concerning the value of this stream. 

Malade River is effectually shut off by high falls near its mouth . Trout are said to ascend 
the stream during high water in the spring, but it becomes impassable later. The stream 
often goes dry for a distance of many miles along the lower part of its course, and has also 
other impassable falls in its upper course. 

Bruneau River was formerly an important stream for spawning salmon, which reached its 
head waters in October, according to the statement of Mr. J. L. Fuller, of Bliss, Idaho. We 
are informed that a dam recently constructed in the Lower Bruneau now wholly prevents the 
ascent of fish. 

The Owyhee River is still open to salmon, so far as could be learned from reports. Mr. J. 
L. Fuller has seen them in the extreme head waters of the Owyhee in Nevada. 

Boise River, like the Bruneau, was formerly a salmon stream, but is now partly or entirely 
closed by a dam near Caldwell, and is unsuitable by placer mining in the upper part of the 
stream. 

The Payette, Salmon, and Clearwater rivers are all available spawning-grounds for the 
salmon, and we learned of no obstructions in these streams. 

The Grande Ronde River is ascended as far as La Grande, where a dam obstructs further 
progress. 

A high falls at the mouth of the Palouse River prevents the ascent of salmon. 

The principal streams and lakes tributary to the Columbia River above the month of the 
Snake are: Yakima River, Wenatchee River, Chelan Lake, Okanagan River, Spokane River, 
Little Spokane River, Cpeur d'Alene Lake, Colville River, Kettle River, and Pend d'Oreille 
River and its numerous tributary streams and lakes. 

Up to 1885 the Yakima River was visited by three or four species of salmon, including the 
quinnat, in great numbers. Important spawning-beds were located in the bed of the stream; 
but in recent years but few salmon have made their appearance in this river. No artificial 
obstructions have been interposed, and the decline can hardly be due to any change in the 
character of the stream. 

We were not able to visit Chelan Lake and Wenatchee and Okanagan rivers, and do not 
know to what extent salmon frequent these waters. Spokane River, below the falls, was 
formerly an important salmon stream containing large spawning-beds, but salmon are rarely 
seen there now. The steelhead still occurs in considerable numbers in the Spokane. 

The Little Spokane, as already statod elsewhere, was visited by salmon in great numbers 
in 1882 and previous years, but since 1882 the number has been very few. 

Salmon have never been able to reach Cceur d'Alene Lake, Spokane Falls apparently having 
proved an effective barrier to their ascent. 

Only the few miles of Colville River below Meyers Falls can be reached by salmon, and 
it is certain that this was formerly an important spawning-ground. The portion of Colville 
River above the falls would prove excellent for salmon, but Meyers Falls form an absolute 
barrier. Kettle River flows into the Columbia from the west, just above Kettle Falls. It was 
not visited by us, and we were not able to get any reliable information regarding it. 

The Pend d'Oreille River and the numerous important streams and lakes tributary to it 
have been discussed elsewhere in this paper. The occurrence of salmon in Kettle River and 
the lower part of the Pend d'Oreille is dependent upon their ability to ascend Kettle Falls. 
That salmon formerly reached and ascended the Lower Kettle Falls seems pretty well estab- 
lished ; but whether they have ever passed the Upper Kettle Falls is not so certain. The 
Upper Falls, upon examination, do not appear to be as formidable as the Lower. The fact 
that so little evidence could be secured regarding the occurrence of salmon in any of these 
waters renders it highly probable that at no time have they ever ascended in any considerable 
numbers above the Upper Kettle Falls. 

S. Mis. 200 4 



50 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA KIVER BASIN. 

While it is true that the salmon are shut out by falls and dams from a large area of the 
Columbia and especially the Snake River basins, and while it is also true that the limitations 
are increasing as streams become useful for irrigation purposes and for mining, it is never- 
theless certain that the decrease in the numbers of salmon, due to ill-regulated fishing iu the 
lower Columbia, has so far outstripped the decrease in area of spawning-beds that the latter 
are now more than ample for all the fish that appear. We do not, therefore, believe that 
increasing the spawning-grounds through the removal of obstructions would materially 
benefit the salmon industry. In our judgment, the streams can be repopulated only by regu- 
lating the fishing in the lower Columbia and at the same time increasing the output from the 
hatcheries. 

The young of this species were taken iu abundance at the mouth of the Natchess River, 
near North Yakima, Wash., and in the Pataha River at Starbuck, Wash. The largest indi- 
vidual seen was 88 mm. long, the smallest 55 mm. ; the average is about 70 mm. These are 
evidently the young of the previous year, and their uniformity in size indicates clearly that all 
pass out of the brooks to the sea, or at least to the deeper river channels, during the first and 
second years. We count in these young specimens 133 to 140 scales in the lateral line, 16 or 
17 branchiostegal rays, 7 + 12 gill-rakers, and 15 or 16 rays in the anal fin. 

26. Salmo gairdneri Richardson. Steelhead. The steelhead is an abundant fish in the larger streams 

of the Columbia basin, especially about Spokane and the mouth of the Fend d'Oreille. Sev- 
eral fine examples of this fish were taken with the spoon by Mr. B. A. Beau in September, 
1802, near Spokane. These were called " salmon " by the residents, and Mr. Bean is of the 
opinion that most, if not all, the " salmon" which they take by trolling are really not salmon, 
but the steelhead. Mr. Bean was also told that the "salmon" about the mouth of the Pend 
d'Oreille and Salmon rivers are taken by trolling, and it is quite likely that these also are 
steelheads. 

27. Salmo mykiss (Walbaum). Roolcy Mountain Trout; "Sa-pen-gue" of Port Hall Indians. 

A very large series of trout from the Columbia basin has been examined and from widely 
separated localities. Specimens were not preserved in every case, but an examination was 
made of trout from the following places: Snake River at Idaho Falls; Ross Fork and Mink 
Creek near Pocatello; Little Wood River at Shoshone: Pataha River at Starbuck; Little 
Spokane River at Dart's Mill: Lake Cceur d'Alene; Lake Pend d'Oreille at Sand Point; Pend 
d'Oreille River at various places between Newport and the mouth of Salmon River; mouth 
of Colville River; Newauknm River at Chehalis; Green River at Hot Springs. 

With every additional collection of black-spotted trout it becomes increasingly difficult 
to recognize any of the distinctions, specific or subspecific which have been set up. The 
present collection adds not a little to the difficulty. We are now convinced that the greater 
number of the "subspecies" of <S. mykiss have no sufficient foundation. We find our speci- 
mens from the Upper Snake River (Ross Fork and Mink ('reck at Pocatello) to be typical 
mykiss, having small scales, in 176 to 180 transverse rows, and a deep red dash on inner side 
of mandible. The spots are most abundant posteriorly, and the specimens are scarcely to be 
distinguished from the so-called Salmo mykiss pleuriticus of the Colorado River. When taken 
in the larger river channels the fish is lighter colored, wifh finer spots and fainter red mark 
on lower jaw. Between such typical mykiss and the form represented in our collection from 
Siich coastwise streams as the Newauknm River at Chehalis, Wash., there seems to be a wide 
difference. The latter has conspicuously larger scales (in 120 to 130 cross rows) and no 
red streak on lower jaw. The sea-run individuals of this latter kind we believe to he the 
Steelhead (S. gairdneri), and between it and the mykiss we are now unable to draw any sharp 
line. Thus the Wood River specimens have fine scales (150 to 163 transverse rows) and usually 
no red dash under the jaw. Some specimens show traces of the latter, and in such it is usually 
faint and irregular. 

From the Umatilla River at Pendleton, the Natchess Fiver at North Yakima, and the 
Pataha River at Starbuck the scales are intermediate in size, ranging from 142 to 163 in 
number, averaging perhaps 148. In these the lower jaw shows no red. Specimens from the 
Cceur d'Alene region have the red dashes usually very distinct, but vary greatly in size of 
scales. Wardner examples look much like typical mykiss, with 165 to 170 scales. From 
Cceur d'Alene Lake we find 130 to 166, with the average about 145, while from the Little 
Spokane River at Dart's Mill specimens with conspicuous red dash on mandibles have the 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 51 

scales averaging 125 in number. Trout from the Green River at Hot Springs, Wash., and 
from the Newankum River at Chehalis have also 123 to 130 scales. We think it not unlikely 
that the coastwise form should he recognized as Salmo mi/kiss gairdneri, though the question 
is sadly in need of systematic and thorough investigation. 

The Fort Hall Indians call the trout Sa-pen-gue, which, they say, means good Jink. 

28. Salvelirms malma (Walhanm). Charr; "Salmon Trout;" "Bull Trout." 
Salmo malma Walbauui, Artedi Piscium, lit), 1792. Type locality: Kamchatka. 

Abundant in the Pend d'Oreille River. At La Claires we saw in the possession of an 
Indian several fine specimens, the largest of which was 26 inches long, 11 inches in greatest 
circumference, aud weighed 5 pounds anil 1 ounce ; the length of the head was 6 inches. 
The people along the river know this fish as the "charr," while in Montana, from Flathead 
Lake to Missoula, it is called " salmon trout " or ''bull trout." One example was obtained by 
Bean aud Woolmau from Lake Pend d'Oreille. One specimen of 3 pounds weight was seen at 
North Yakima, which had been caught in the Natchess River. Salvelinus malma has not yet 
been found in the Snake River, and it is doubtful if it occurs in that basin above the fill.-.. 
The only Salvelinus yet known in that basin is from Henry Lake, and was identified by Dr. 
Bean as S. namaycush. 

29. Columbia transmontana Eigenmann A Eigenmann. 

Columbia transmontana Eigenmann &- Eigenmann, Science, October 21, 1892. Type locality: 
Umatilla River, at Umatilla, Oregon. 

Seventy-three specimens of this very interesting species were obtained in the Walla 
Walla River at Wallula, Wash., August 23, 1893, by Messrs. Thoburn and Rutter. The 
largest specimen measures 3[,'. inches in total length. Diligent search was made for this fish 
at the locality where the types were obtained, but none was found. The specimens taken at 
Wallula were found in only one place, about 250 feet below the railroad bridge, on the edge 
of a large patch of Chora aud in water about 3 feet deep, where the bottom was somewhat 
muddy. The temperature of the water here was 70- at 11 :30 a. m.. when the air was 80 . 

Measurements of the larger specimens give the following results: Head, 3} to 31; depth, 
3i to 3A; eye, 3f ; snout, 3. D. II, 9; A. li, 0; V. 8; P. 10 to 12. Scales 9-43-8. 

Ground color pale straw-color, profusely covered with fine dark-brown specks which 
form irregular blotches along the course of the lateral line and on median line of back, there 
being 1 at anterior base of dorsal and 3 or 4 on the caudal peduncle; head with fine dark 
spots on sides; dorsal, anal, and caudal barred with dark. Dorsal and anal spines strong; 
the first dorsal spine short, less than length of eye, the second much longer, as long as from 
tip of snout to middle of pupil; first anal spine scarcely as long as first dorsal; second anal 
spine about one-third length of head; longest dorsal rays about 1^ in head; those of anal 
shorter. 

30. G-asterosteus niicrocephalus Girard. Abundant in the Walla Walla River at Wallula, in Lake 

Washington, and in Skookumchuck River near Chehalis, Wash. ; not seen elsewhere by 
us. Specimens takeu were found to be extremely variable in the extent to which lateral 
shields are developed. Iu a considerable proportion the plates are developed along the entire 
length of sides of body and the caudal peduncle is sharply keeled. Others have but 4 or 5 
plates developed, the caudal peduncle being then without trace of carina. Between these 
extremes are all possible intermediate conditions, thus establishing a series comparable with 
that recently reported on by Dr. G. A. Boulenger as occurring in the common European species. 

31. Cottus asper (Richardson). A single specimen, 145 mm. long, from the Walla Walla River at 

Wallula, Wash., aud two small specimens from Lake Washington. The dorsals contain 9 
spines aud 21 rays, aud are slightly connected at base. Soft dorsal high, the lougest ray 2J 
in length of head, the posterior rays reaching base of caudal. Aual tin with 17 rays; pec- 
torals, 16. Interorbital space very wide, equaling diameter of eye, not concave. Prickles 
coarser and less closely crowded than in the Sacramento River specimens, distinctly visible 
without the aid of a lens, aud directed upwards and backwards. The lateral line is complete, 
without abrupt angle under last dorsal rays, and contains 38 pores. Anus separated from first 
anal ray by a space equaling two-thirds diameter of orbit. Band of palatine teeth weak. 
Anterior nostril in a short tube. The coarsei prickles, more anterior position of vent, and 
flatter interorbital space probably indicate that C. asper is separable, at least subspecifically, 
from the Sacramento River form. Material is not now at hand to settle this point. 



52 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA KIVER BASIN. 



32 



Cottus rhotheus (Rosa Smith). 

This strongly-marked species is abundant in the Spokane region, and was taken at the 
following stations: Little Spokane River at Dart's Mill near Spokane, and at Chattaroy, 
Wash. ; Columbia River at Colville, Wash ; Coaur d'Alene Lake near Creur d'Alene, Idaho ; 
Clearwater River near Lewiston, Idaho; Walla Walla River at Wallula, Oreg. ; Hangman 
Creek at Tekoa, Wash.; Natehess River at North Yakima, Wash.; Newaukum River near 
Chehalis, Wash. ; Snoqualmie River at Snoqualmie Falls, Wash. 

The salient features of this species are: (1) The pointed wedge-shaped profile of head, as 
viewed from above ; this contrasting strongly with the usual broadly-ronnded contour of other 
species. (2) The wide horizontal mouth, quite at lower profile of head. (3) The noticeably 
concave interorbital and occipital regions. (4) The very broad and long palatine baud of 
teeth. (5) The rather slender body and the extremely slender caudal peduncle, the latter 
expanding fan-like at base of caudal fin. (6) The dorsals usually separate; when united, at 
extreme base only. (7) Lateral line complete. (8) Sides usually well invested with prickles, 
which are triangular and coarse, and less closely placed than in asper. They are arranged 
more or less definitely in oblique series. There is considerable variation in the completeness 
of the investment, and in one specimen from Chehalis an axillary patch only is present. 

The specimens from Chattaroy and from Snoqualmie Falls are referred to this species with 
doubts as to their identity. 

The following table will give an idea of the amount of variation in number of fin-rays, 
found in this species : 



Locality. 


Spinous dorsal. 


Soft dorsal. 


Anal. 


Pectoral. 


VII. 


VIII. 


16 


17 


11 


12 


13 


15 


16 


Lateral 
line. 




4 


6 
2 
2 
2 
1 
5 
4 
1 


6 
2 
1 
1 
1 
5 
3 
1 


4 


3 


6 
1 

2 
1 
4 
2 
1 


1 
1 

1 


2 


10 
2 


32 to 34 
32,33 






1 
2 


1 
1 




1 


3 






1 


1 






1 
1 


1 
2 


1 
3 










5 
1 



























33. Cottus punctulatus (Gill). Ah-we. 

Cottopsis semiscaber Cope. Hayden's 5th Report, 1871, 476. Type locality : Fort Hall, Idaho. 

Numerous specimens from Green River, Wyoming. Comparing these with typical semit- 
caber from the vicinity of Pocatello, Idaho, we can appreciate no difference whatever, except 
in the matter of armature. None of our Green River specimens show any prickles whatever. 
About half the Pocatello specimens are also naked and are indistinguishable from typical 
punctulatus; in the others more or less prickles are developed, varying from a few in axil of 
pectorals to a band covering more than half of the sides. As this is not an unusual amount 
of variation, we do not consider C. semiscaber worthy of recognition. The relations of C. 
punctulatus with the eastern species have not been carefully worked out, and it seems best 
to recognize it for the present as distinct. Specimens from Green River, Wyoming, and from 
Mink Creek, Ross Fork, and Port Nenf River, Pocatello, Idaho. The collection contains also 
two specimens from Thompson Falls and three from Flathead Lake, which seem to be this 
species. By the Fort Hall Indians this fish is called ak-we, a word meaning horns. 

34 Cottus perplexus, sp. hot. (Plate vm.) 

Type locality: Skookumchuck River, near Chehalis, Wash., where 13 specimens were col- 
lected, August 28, 1893, by Drs. Gilbert and Jenkins. Associate type locality: Newaukum 
River near Chehalis, Wash.; 26 specimens, collected by Drs. Gilbert and Jenkins, August 28, 
1893, Type, No. 45387, U. S. Nat. Mus. Co-types, No. 45388 (Newaukum River), U. S. Nat. 
Mus.; and Nos. 1324 to 1343 (Skookumchuck River), Museum Leland Stanford Junior Uni- 
versity. Related to Cottus punctulatus. 



Saimnn Fisheries of the Columbia Riv.. To 1 • e page 52.) 



Plate VIII 




Fig , COTTUS PERPLEXUS.,, Type.) si kumchuck River, Obehalis, Washington 




Fi £ . 2- COTTUS LEIOPOMUS. sp . no, (Type i Little W 1 River, Shoshone, Ida! 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 



53 



Description : Head, 3J ; depth, 4£ ; eye, 4 ; snout, 4 ; interorbital width, 5*. D. vu, 21 ; A. 15 ; 
P. 16; V. I, 4. Least depth of caudal peduncle greater than snout, 3 J in head; interorbital 
space rather broad, about li in eye. 

The body is deeper and more compressed than in any other species known to us, this being 
especially noticeable posteriorly; the caudal peduncle is very short and deep, and is entirely 
overlapped by the posterior dorsal rays which extend beyond base of caudal tin. Length of 
caudal peduncle from base of last dorsal ray about f depth of same. Depth of body at origin of 
anal fin J length of head. Interorbital space slightly concave; occiput flat or transversely 
convex. Mouth oblique, the maxillary reaching vertical from posterior margin of pupil, 2A. in 
head. Teeth in a very narrow crescentic band on vomer, none on palatines. Upper preoper- 
oular spine short and broad, curved or simply directed upward; below this two stout, blunt 
spines directed downward. Body, in the type specimen, entirely naked; lateral line incom- 
plete, not reaching end of soft dorsal. 

Spinous dorsal low, the longest spines not greater than length of snout ; soft fins all high, 
the 15th dorsal ray equal to snout and eye ; a broad membrane always connecting the two dorsa Is, 
the notch inconspicuous. Last rays of anal as well as dorsal extend beyond base of caudal; 
first anal ray under third ray of soft dorsal; ventral spine and rays slender and weak. Anus 
midway between base of caudal fin and front of eye 

Color in alcohol, back and sides with vermiculations of light and dark, the hack with 5 or 6 
ill-defined black crossbars, which usually reach the lateral line; the usual black bar at base 
of caudal, emargiuate posteriorly; below the lateral line a number of small, quadrate, dark 
blotches, arranged in two irregular series ; lower parts unmarked except with fine dark punctu- 
lations; dorsal, pectoral, and caudal fins crossbarred with dark; anal and ventrals with 
numerous small dark specks. Length, 91 mm. 

The co-types show that this species is subject to some variations which should be men- 
tioned. Head, 3 to 3|; depth, 4 \ to 4£. D. vilorvm, 18to21; A. 14tol6;P. 14tol6. Whilethe 
body is usually entirely naked, there is occasionally an axillary band of prickles, sometimes 
supplemented by a single irregular series of prickles along base of the dorsal fin. The notch 
in the membrane connecting the dorsals is usually inconspicuous. In some examples the black 
crossbars on the back do not reach the lateral line. The small, quadrate, dark blotches below 
the lateral line are sometimes arranged in a single series parallel with base of anal, sometimes 
in two irregular series. 

The following table gives the fin formula in a number of individuals of this species : 



Looality. 


Dorsal spines. 


Dorsal rays. 


Anal rays. 


No. of 
specimens 
examined. 


vn. 


VIII. 


IS 


19 


20 


21 


14 


15 


16 




3 
3 
4 


10 
2 
1 


4 
2 
1 


5 
2 
3 


2 
1 


2 
1 


6 
1 
2 


6 
3 
2 


1 
1 
1 


13 
26 
5 







From Coitus punctulatus, which it most closely resembles, this species may be distinguished 
by its deeper body, more elongate anal fin, the broad union between the dorsals, the absence 
of palatine teeth, and the different coloration. 
35. Cottus leiopomus sp. nov. (Xciof, smooth; nufta, cover, opercle.) (Plate vm.) 

Type locality : Upper Little Wood River, Shoshone, Idaho, where 2 specimens were col- 
lected, September, 1893, by Mr. H. H. Kinsey. Type, No. 45389, U. S. Nat. Mus. Co-type, 
No. 1151, Museum Leland Stanford Junior University. Related to Coitus philonips. 

Head, 3£; depth, 5£; eye, 4J ; snout, 3£ ; interorbital width, 7±; D. vn-17; A. 12; P. 13; V. 
1, 4. Least depth of caudal peduncle about equal to length of snout ; interorbital space very 
narrow, much less than diameter of eye ; mouth small, maxillary reaching vertical from middle 
of eye, a wide strip visible laterally in the closed mouth. Preopercnlar spines entirely absent, 
the preopercular margin evenly rounded throughout, without prominence, and without the 
least trace of a spine. 



54 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

Vomer with a very narrow band of teeth; palatines naked; skin wholly naked, lateral 
line complete. Dorsal fins not joined unless at extreme base ; tins all low, the pectorals barely 
reaching front of anal; front of anal under third ray of second dorsal, its last ray under 
fourth from last ray of latter. Free portion of caudal peduncle (behind last anal ray) 
contained If in head ; portion behind base of last dorsal ray 3 in head ; neither dorsal nor anal 
reaching base of caudal when depressed. 

Color in alcohol: head on sides rather finely vermiculated with light and dark; plain 
whitish below; not coarsely spotted or blotched as in philonips; dorsal bars indistinct; two 
narrow black lines downward and backward from the eye; an evenly convex dark bar at base 
of caudal; dorsals, pectorals, and caudal faintly crossbarred. 

Length 81 mm. 

The second specimen, which is 71 mm. long, agrees closely in every respect with the type. 

This species is very closely related to Coitus philonips, from which it differs only in the 
total absence of any preopercular spine. In both specimens, and on each side, the preoper- 
cular margin is entirely rounded throughout, without any prominence and without the least 
trace of a spine. It seems very improbable that the two should agree in being merely abnor- 
mal in this respect, and we are forced to conclude that a form exists which is peculiar to the 
Malade River, a stream otherwise remarkable in its ichthyologic features. 

36. Cottus philonips Eigenmann. 

This name was proposed as a substitute for Cottus minutus Pallas, supposed to be pre- 
occupied, and Cottus microstomus (Lockington), not of Haeckel. The first mentioned is 
perfectly available, but was applied to a specimen from the island of Talek, near Tanisk, in 
the Okhotsk Sea. It is very doubtful, therefore, whether C. minutus should be used for any 
American species in advance of comparison with the Siberian form. From the Aleutian 
Island species (C. microstomus Lockington), C. philonips differs in many important respects, 
and is undoubtedly distinct. Thus the Alaskan form has the posterior nostrils in short but 
conspicuous tubes, the preorbital produced into a lobe which conceals all of the maxillary 
except the extreme tip, and the dorsal tin with 8 or 9 spines and 18 to 20 soft rays. 

Cottus philonips is a small-headed form, typically with perfectly smooth skin and 
unarmed palatines. Like most other species of the genus it occasionally develops a band of 
postaxillary prickles, which are often accompanied in the same specimens by a small 
patch of teeth on the palatine bones. The head is less strongly armed than usual, the siugle 
preopercular spine being short, the preopercular margin otherwise wholly unarmed. In this 
respect C. philonips differs from all other western species of Cottus, except the Alaskan form 
above mentioned. 

The dorsal varies from vn or vm, 16 to 18; the anal from 12 to 14. The nostrils are 
without tubes, and the preorbital little produced, exposing the greater part of maxillary in 
closed mouth. 

Specimens were obtained in the Port Nenf River near Pocatello, at Snoqualmie Falls, 
and in a spring branch emptying into the South Fork of the Cieur d'Alene River, near Ward- 
ner, Idaho. We have also seen specimens taken from Birch Creek, in western Idaho, by 
Merriam and Bailey. 

37. Cottus marginatus Bean. 

Six small specimens from Mill Creek at Walla Walla (the type locality of marginatus) 
agree with Bean's description and differ from all other western specimens of Cottus which we 
have seen in having but three soft rays in the ventral fins. So far as can be ascertained from 
our very immature specimens, marginatus strongly resembles perplexus, with which it agrees 
in fin rays, naked skin, the incomplete lateral line, and the absence of palatine teeth. C. 
perplexus has constantly 4 soft rays in the ventral fins, and other differences may appear when 
compared with adult specimens. In our specimens of marginatus, the anus varies in position, 
being sometimes nearer base of caudal fin than snout, sometimes nearer snout. Twenty-two 
small specimens, collected by Beau and Woolman at Sand Point, Idaho, are for the present 
referred to this species, though we are not certain that this identification is correct. The 
ventrals seem to be I, 3, but the body is more or less covered with prickles. 



S Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To- I 



F'LATE IX. 




^r^^-z'^v^f:^-.^-^'^ 





Fig . i. CATOSTOMUS POCATELLO, sp. n type Ross Fork of Snake River Pocatell'o [dahu 




F.g. 2. AGOSIA UMATILLA, sp. nov. (Type.) Columbia River, Umatilla, Oregon 





Fig 3 COREGONUS WILLIAMSONI G.rard. Breeding male. Little Spokane River, Washingto 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 55 



NOTES ON WILLIAMSON'S WHITEFISH IN BREEDING COLORS, FROM LITTLE 
SPOKANE RIVER, WASHINGTON, AND REMARKS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF 
THE SPECIES. 

[By Barton A. Bean, assistant curator, Department of Fishes, U. S. National Museum.] 

In the fall of 1892, while ou an investigation of the streams in eastern Washington 
with a view of locating a site for a fish-hatchery for the U. S. Fish Commission, the 
writer had the good fortune to secure a very fine specimen of Goregonus tcilUamsoni 
approaching the breeding condition. 

As will be seen in the accompanying illustration (Plate ix) the tubercles ou the 
scales at this time are very prominent, situated on the middle of the scales, milk-white 
in color, and forming horizontal lines along the body from head to tail. About six- 
teen of these lines can be counted between the back and ventral edge of the body. 
The tubercles show on the abdomen, but the color of that portion of the body and of 
the tubercles being similar, they are indistinct. 

Color: Dark on back, sides a lighter steel gray, and under parts white; all fins 
tipped with black; caudal and adipose fins steel-blue. 

D. 14; A. 13; scales, 9-83-10; pores in lateral Une, 80; head, 5; depth, 4; eye, 4J; 
snout, 3. Gill-rakers short, about 12 below the angle. Mouth very small, the maxilla 
barely reaching vertical through front of eye. Dorsal fin highest in front, gradually 
graduated to last ray, which is less than one-half length of anterior rays. The greatest 
height of the dorsal slightly exceeds its length of base, which equals the length of the 
ventral fins, being considerably less than the leugth of the pectorals, but exactly that 
of the anal tin. Caudal tin deeply forked. 

The specimen here described and illustrated measures not quite 11 inches; it is 
a male and was taken in Little Spokane River near Clark Springs, October 5, 1892. 

Another example, a little larger (124 inches), was obtained by Mr. A. J. Woolman 
in the Little Spokane, in September, 1892. The tubercles on this specimen are well 
preserved, those on the former having disappeared owing to exposure to the air and 
handling while being drawn. 

Mr. Woolman's example has the following characters : D. 13 ; A. 13. Scales 10-80-10. 
Head, 5; depth, 4. Adipose fin very long, the length of its base being contained 2£ 
times in the head's length. Color as in the preceding. 

So far as we are aware the breeding whitefish, of any species, has not been here- 
tofore described in America. In Faune des Vertebres de la Suisse, volume v, Hist. 
Nat. des Poissons, Geneve, 1890, Dr. Victor Fatio presents the following note on the 
breeding colors of Goregonus e.rlguus of Switzerland: 

Adult males differ from the females by a more slender body, larger head, stouter muzzle of snout, 
the greater development of the paired fins, especially the pectorals, and during the breeding season 
by a more intense coloration, also by the stronger and more numerous epidermic buttons, and some- 
times by the more strongly arched scales on the lateral line. 

It is unfortunate that we failed to secure female fish. The whitefish were very 
abundant in the Little Spokane; large numbers were observed. They were, however, 
exceedingly shy and difficult of capture, and our efforts to net them were entirely 
ineffectual. 



56 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 

la most of the streams seined by Mr. Woolnian and the writer in western Montana, 
Idaho, and Washington the young, parr-marked whitefish was taken. These young 
fish were obtained in several quiet streams, almost sluggish, so weak was the current. 
In Spokane River at the city of Spokane large numbers of adult whitefish could be 
seen from the city bridges. They would lie or swim close to the bottom, keeping in the 
shade of the bridges, and would bite at grasshoppers. The artificial fly seemed to have 
no attraction for the fish. 

This whitefish grows to a length of 15 inches, has excellent flesh, and is by many 
confused with the grayling, Thymallus. The Columbia Eiver chub, Mylocheilus cau- 
rinus is often called "whitefish." The type of Goregonus williamsoni was obtained in 
the Des Chutes River, Oregon, and described by Dr. Girard in the Proceedings of the 
Philadelphia Academy of Sciences in 1856, and again in 185S in the Pacific Railroad 
Survey reports. Later recorded localities are: Willamette and Columbia rivers, 
Oregon ; the Columbia and its tributaries in Washington ; Lake Tahoe, Trout Creek and 
Truckee River, California; lakes and streams of Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, 
and Utah. The species ranges north into British America and eastward to the moun- 
tain tributaries of the Upper Missouri, several of the localities given by Prof. Evermaun 
being east of the Continental Divide. 



ANNOTATED LIST OF REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS. 

[By John Van Denburgh, student, Leland Stanford Junior University.] 

But few reptiles and batrachiaus were observed by members of the expedition, 
partly because no special effort was made to collect them, and partly because they 
were not abundant in most of the region traversed. Both lizards and snakes seemed 
to be rare on the barren lava plains of the Snake River, where Sceloporus gmciosus, 
Phrynosoma douglassi, and Phrynosoma platyrhinus w r ere the only species seen. The 
case was different in the bottom lands of the Snake River below Shoshone Falls, Idaho. 
Here lizards were extremely abundant and in considerable variety. Species of Uta, 
Crotaphytus, and Gnemidophorus were as numerously represented as on the hot deserts 
of southern California. Two species of Sceloporus were also seen, but of these no 
specimens were secured. The richness of reptilian life on the sandy floor of the valley 
contrasted strongly with the reverse condition on the lava plains immediately bordering 
the valley and but a few hundred feet above it. 

1. Crotaphytus wislizenii Baird & Girard. Two full-grown specimens collected in the bottom lands 

of the Snake River near Bliss, Idaho, August 8. With the exception of Cnemidophorus tigris, 
this was the most abundant species observed. 

2. Uta stansburiana Baird & Girard. A single badly mutilated specimen from Snake River bottoms, 

near Bliss, taken August 8. The species was not rare, and was usually observed on rocks. 
3 Sceloporus graciosus Baird &. Girard. Six specimens from near Pocatello, Idaho, August 3; two 

specimens from near Idaho Falls, Idaho, August 5; three specimens from near Umatilla, Oreg., 

August 11. This species was always observed on the ground, and was seen both among the 

coarser basalt and on the finer sands and gravels. 
•4 Phrynosoma douglassii (Bell). This pygmy horned toad seemed by no means abundant. The 

largest specimen, 68 mm. long, was taken at Pocatello, Idaho, August 4. Two other specimens 

were captured: one on the Clearwater River, 7 miles above Lowiston, August 15; the other 

at North Yakima, Wash., August 23. 



INVESTIGATIONS IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER BASIN. 57 

5. Phrynosoma platyrhinos Girard. One specimen from Bliss, Idaho, August 8; two — a male and 

a female — from the lava plains between Shoshone and the Snake River, August 7. In the 
latter locality the species was abundant. The two specimens there secured have the series ol 
enlarged gulars almost obsolete, it being represented on each side by two or three scales slightly 
more pointed than the other gulars. The number of femoral pores is 8 in the male, 10 in the 
female. The tympanum is fully scaled in one, only partially so in the other. 

6. Cnemidophorus tigris Baird & Girard. The "sand lizard" was the most abundant species in 

Snake River bottoms. A single specimen was collected near Bliss, Idaho, August 8. This 
seems not to differ from Owen's valley specimens, and wo therefore follow Dr. Stejneger in 
the use of the above name. 

7. Thamnophis vagrans (Baird & Girard). Although the sis garter snakes brought in by the 

expedition show considerable color variation, they unquestionably represent a single species. 
They were collected at the following localities: 1 specimen, Sand Point, Idaho, August 7; 2 
specimens, Clearwater River near Lewiston, Idaho, August 15; 1 specimen, Potlatch Creek 
nearjuliaetta, Idaho, August 16; 1 specimen, Wardner, Idaho, August 18; 1 specimen, Umatilla, 
Oregon, August 23. 

8. Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Say). One specimen of this variety was obtained on the Little 

Spokane River near Spokane, in September, 1802, by Mr. A. J. Woolman. 

9. Crotalus lucifer Baird & Girard. A single specimen taken on the Snake River between Twin 

Falls and Shoshone Falls, Idaho. The rattler is said to be not abundant in that vicinity. 

10. Diernyctylus torosus (Esch). Two specimens found in Skookumchuck River near Chehalis, 

Wash., August 28. 

11. Bufo columbiensis Baird A- Girard. One young specimen, Umatilla, Oregon, August 23, and 

one adult, Pocatello, Idaho, August 3. 

12. Hyla regilla Baird &, Girard. One specimen, Chehalis, Wash., August 28. 

13. Rana aurora Baird & Girard. Four specimens from Skookumchuck River near Chehalis, Wash., 

August 28. 

14. Rana pretiosa Baird & Girard. Seven specimens, Saud Point, Idaho, August 7; 1 specimen, 

Pendleton, Oreg., August. 12; 2 specimens, Colfax, Wash., August 17; 1 specimen, Little 
Spokane River, Part's Mill, Washington, August 18; 4 specimens, Occur d'Alene, Idaho, 
August 21 ; 1 specimen, Post Creek, Montana, September 18, 1892 ; 1 specimen, Thompson Falls, 
Montana, September 19, 1892; 5 specimens, Sand Point, Idaho, September 20, 1892; 7 speci- 
mens, Little Spokane River, Spokane, Wash., September, 1892; 3 specimens, Clark Spring, 
Spokane, Wash., October 5, 1892. 

15. Rana pipiens brachycephala (Cope). One specimen of this handsome frog was secured in the 

Boise River, at Caldwell, Idaho, August 8. The collection made by Messrs. Bean and Wool- 
man contains three specimens from Post Creek, Montana (September 18), and one from Sand 
Point, Idaho (September 20). 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To face page 58.) 



Plate X. 




SPOKANE FALLS, SPOKANE, WASHINGTON PART OF THE UPPER FALLS. 



Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To face page 58.) 



Plate XI. 




Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To face page 58 ) 



Plate XII. 




Salmon Fisheries of the Columbia River. (To face page 58. } 



Plate XIII. 




MYERS FALLS, COLVILLE RIVER. TOTAL DESCENT ABOUT 80 FEET 




LOWER KETTLE FALLS. COLUMBIA RIVER. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



002 869 770 3 



